Dirofilaria immitis in an Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) from southeastern Louisiana, United States

Upton, Kaitlyn E.; Sobotyk, Caroline; Edwards, Erin E.; Verocai, Guilherme G.

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100703

Cited by 4 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Moreover, many of the species represented in our sampling have been reported infected with heartworm or had antigen detected via commercial ELISA kits (Table 7). Prior to this study, D. immitis was reported in an Asian small-clawed otter from the neighboring state of Louisiana [22].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In addition to companion animals, heartworm infection or associated diseases have been reported from various wild carnivores within the families Canidae and Felidae, including coyotes, wolves, golden jackals, foxes [5,6,7,8,9,10], lynxes [11], ocelot [12], oncilla [13], various leopard species [14,15,16], a lion [17], and a black-footed cat [18]. However, infection with D. immitis is not limited to species within these two carnivore families as there have been reports in various other species including: the raccoon [19], various species of otters [20,21,22], and both brown and black bears [23,24]. Most knowledge surrounding heartworm disease comes from research in domestic dog and cat species, while little is known about the disease in the wild members of the order Carnivora.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in carnivores kept in zoos located in Texas, USA: Risk perception, practices, and prevalence

Upton

Budke

Verocai

2022

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Background Dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent of heartworm disease has long been established to affect both wild and domestic canids, felids, and mustelids. Recent literature demonstrates that additional families in the order Carnivora are also susceptible. The objectives of this study were to 1) better understand current practices surrounding heartworm prevention and diagnostics in zoological facilities located in the state of Texas, USA and 2) assess the seroprevalence of D. immitis infection among terrestrial carnivores kept in these facilities. Methods A questionnaire was completed by veterinarians or veterinary technicians representing 10 zoological facilities across Texas. This questionnaire was designed at the taxonomic family level, encompassing the 12 terrestrial carnivore families: Ailuridae, Canidae, Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Hyaenidae, Mephitidae, Mustelidae, Prionodontidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae, and Viverridae. The second objective was achieved with the use of archival serum samples made available by six zoo facilities. Results Risk perception varied across facilities for every family, including among species belonging to Canidae. All facilities used monthly heartworm prevention in canids and felids, with more variation existing in the other families. The use of diagnostic testing and type and route of administration of preventive varied by facility, with oral ivermectin the most commonly used preventive. A total of 217 archival serum samples, belonging to 211 individual animals encompassing 11 families and 39 species, were tested with a commercial heartworm antigen ELISA test, pre- and post-immune-complex dissociation. A subset of samples was also assessed for presence of feline anti-heartworm antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. Two animals had antigen detected (0.95%), both Asian small-clawed otters from the same facility. Conclusions This study demonstrates that while the zoo veterinary community is aware of the risk and health impact of heartworm disease in canids and felids, there is still a great deal of uncertainty regarding the risks and ideal strategies for prevention in other carnivore families. The low prevalence found in zoo carnivores in Texas may serve as a baseline for future prevalence studies across the southern United States amid the emerging concern of macrocyclic lactone resistance.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in carnivores kept in zoos located in Texas, USA: Risk perception, practices, and prevalence

Upton

Budke

Verocai

2022

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…Widely distributed across the United States, this parasite has been reported in all 50 states ( Nelson et al, 2005 ; Little et al, 2021 ). While the occurrence in domestic dogs and cats is well documented, the infection in wild carnivores is less frequently reported ( Kotwa et al, 2019 ; Sobotyk et al, 2022 ; Upton et al, 2022 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria striata (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) detected in wild carnivores from Texas, United States

Ramos,

Hakimi,

Salomon

et al. 2024

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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“…10,20 Infectious diseases such as infection by canine parvovirus 2a ( Carnivore protoparvovirus 1 ), 14 or canine parvovirus 2b and Clostridioides difficile coinfection, 16 have been reported. Dirofilariasis ( Dirofilaria immitis ), 15 visceral pentastomiasis, 3 osteoporosis, 5 and cyanide toxicosis caused by ingestion of loquat ( Eriobotrya japonica ), 18 have also been described.…”

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confidence: 99%

Intestinal T-cell lymphoma in an Asian small-clawed otter: case report and literature review of lymphoma in the subfamily Lutrinae

et al. 2022

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The Asian small-clawed otter ( Aonyx cinereus) is an endangered species that is common in zoologic collections. A 17-y-old female Asian small-clawed otter under human care, with a clinical history of chronic renal disease, was euthanized because of deteriorating health. Histologically, the jejunal wall was infiltrated by a monomorphic population of small neoplastic lymphocytes that expanded the lamina propria of the villi and crypts, and on rare occasions invaded the submucosa. The tumor was composed of T cells (CD3+) with a proliferation index of 16%. Based on the World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Hematopoietic Neoplasms in Domestic Animals, this lymphoma was classified as an enteropathy-associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) type 2. We also present here a review of the literature on intestinal lymphoma in the subfamily Lutrinae (otters).

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Dirofilaria immitis in an Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) from southeastern Louisiana, United States

Cited by 4 publications

References 12 publications

Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in carnivores kept in zoos located in Texas, USA: Risk perception, practices, and prevalence

Heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, in carnivores kept in zoos located in Texas, USA: Risk perception, practices, and prevalence

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria striata (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) detected in wild carnivores from Texas, United States

Intestinal T-cell lymphoma in an Asian small-clawed otter: case report and literature review of lymphoma in the subfamily Lutrinae

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