Dirofilariasis by Dirofilaria repens : an imported case and a brief review

Baptista-Fernandes, Teresa; Rodrigues, Manuel; Domingues, Dulce; Monteiro, Lucília; Paixão, Paulo; Pereira, Patrícia; Tavares, Raquel Aguiar; Rodrigues, Paulo M. M.; Maurício, Isabel; Belo, Silvana; Toscano, Cristina

doi:10.1016/j.parint.2015.03.001

Cited by 14 publications

(15 citation statements)

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“…In Portugal, canine or other animal cases of D. repens infection have not been reported until very recently, when the first case of canine infection was found in the Algarve, the southernmost part of the country [51]. Currently there are no reports of human infection, apart from the description of an imported case [52].…”

Section: History Of Dirofilaria Repens In Dogs and Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe

et al. 2018

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Dirofilaria repens is a nematode affecting domestic and wild canids, transmitted by several species of mosquitoes. It usually causes a non-pathogenic subcutaneous infection in dogs and is the principal agent of human dirofilariosis in the Old World. In the last decades, D. repens has increased in prevalence in areas where it has already been reported and its distribution range has expanded into new areas of Europe, representing a paradigmatic example of an emergent pathogen. Despite its emergence and zoonotic impact, D. repens has received less attention by scientists compared to Dirofilaria immitis. In this review we report the recent advances of D. repens infection in dogs and humans, and transmission by vectors, and discuss possible factors that influence the spread and increase of this zoonotic parasite in Europe. There is evidence that D. repens has spread faster than D. immitis from the endemic areas of southern Europe to northern Europe. Climate change affecting mosquito vectors and the facilitation of pet travel seem to have contributed to this expansion; however, in the authors’ opinion, the major factor is likely the rate of undiagnosed dogs continuing to perpetuate the life-cycle of D. repens. Many infected dogs remain undetected due to the subclinical nature of the disease, the lack of rapid and reliable diagnostic tools and the poor knowledge and still low awareness of D. repens in non-endemic areas. Improved diagnostic tools are warranted to bring D. repens diagnosis to the state of D. immitis diagnosis, as well as improved screening of imported dogs and promotion of preventative measures among veterinarians and dog owners. For vector-borne diseases involving pets, veterinarians play a significant role in prevention and should be more aware of their responsibility in reducing the impact of the zoonotic agents. In addition, they should enhance multisectorial collaboration with medical entomologists and the public health experts, under the concept and the actions of One Health-One Medicine.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3205-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: History Of Dirofilaria Repens In Dogs and Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe

et al. 2018

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“…The distance between longitudinal ridges was 5–12.5 μm (Table 1 ). PCR amplification with primers directed to the mitochondrial 16S rRNA region of D. immitis [ 13 ] and COX1 region of Dirofilaria repens [ 14 ] and COX1 region of Onchocerca dewittei japonica [ 15 ] was conducted. PCR products of the D. immitis 16S rRNA, D. repens COX1, and O. dewittei japonica COX1 regions were all negative.…”

Section: Case Presentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

A combined human case of Dirofilaria ursi infection in dorsal subcutaneous tissue and Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) infection in ventral subcutaneous tissue

et al. 2017

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Background Dirofilaria ursi is a filarial nematode that parasitizes the subcutaneous tissues of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) and Japanese black bear (Ursus thiabetanus japonicus). D. ursi that has parasitized black bears has the potential to subsequently infect humans. In addition, extra-gastrointestinal anisakiasis is less common in Japan.Case presentationWe report a case of ventral subcutaneous anisakiasis and dorsal subcutaneous dirofilariasis that was acquired in Fukushima, in the northern part of Japan. The patient was an 83-year-old Japanese female, and subcutaneous parasitic granulomas were present on her left abdomen (near the navel) and left scapula. A pathological examination of the surgically dissected tissue sections from each region demonstrated eosinophilic granulomas containing different species of parasites. To enable the morphological and molecular identification of these parasites, DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections using DEXPAT reagent, and the cytochrome oxidase 2 (COX2), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S and ITS2 regions of the Anisakis larvae, and the 5S rRNA region of the male Dirofilaria were sequenced. The PCR products were examined and compared with DNA databases. Molecular analysis of the COX2 and 5S rRNA sequences of each worm revealed that the nematode found in the ventral region belonged to Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) and the male Dirofilaria found in the dorsal region was classified as D. ursi.ConclusionThe present case showed a combined human case of D. ursi and A. simplex s.s. infections in subcutaneous tissues. The results of this study will contribute to the identification of unknown parasites in histological sections.

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“…The occurrence of this situation in the Algarve region, a popular summer destination, should be carefully considered due to the zoonotic potential of this parasite. Indeed, although human dirofilariasis has been often underdiagnosed (probably due to the lack of awareness amongst health professionals and to the difficulties in parasite identification), two cases of pulmonary nodules by D. immitis [16] and two cases of subcutaneous dirofilariasis by Dirofilaria repens [17, 18] have already been reported in Portugal.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dirofilaria immitis in pinnipeds and a new host record

et al. 2017

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Background Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne pathogen that is spreading worldwide, and the associated infection (i.e. dirofilariosis) is becoming a threat to animals and humans living in endemic areas. Little is known about the occurrence and risk of infection of D. immitis in pinnipeds. Here we report dirofilariosis by D. immitis in several pinniped species kept in captivity in Portugal.MethodsAnimals were housed in an oceanographic park located in Algarve, southern Portugal, a geographical area endemic for canine dirofilariosis. To assess the occurrence of D. immitis, blood was collected from the park’s resident pinniped population, which consisted of 16 animals (5 common seals Phoca vitulina, 2 grey seals Halichoerus grypus, 3 California sea lions Zalophus californianus and 6 South African fur seals Arctocephalus pusillus pusillus). Dirofilaria immitis nematodes were detected by real-time PCR and by the presence of circulating antigens. In addition, modified Knott’s technique was performed to detect circulating microfilariae. Necropsies and histopathological examination of two animals which died during the study were also conducted.ResultsOut of the 16 pinnipeds housed at the park, seven (43.8%) were positive for D. immitis by real-time PCR (3 P. vitulina, 2 Z. californianus and 2 A. p. pusillus), two of which (P. vitulina) were also positive for the nematode’s antigen. Additionally, D. immitis microfilariae were detected in one A. p. pusillus. Furthermore, several D. immitis specimens were retrieved from the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries at the necropsy of one P. vitulina and one A. p. pusillus.ConclusionsThis study provides new epidemiological data on D. immitis infection in pinnipeds diagnosed through clinical, molecular and pathological findings. Additionally, the South African fur seal is herein reported as a new host for this zoonotic filarioid. The situation herein described could also occur in other parks located in areas where canine dirofilariosis is endemic. Active surveillance and preventive measures of dirofilariosis in pinnipeds on a local and global scale are therefore vital to improve the early diagnosis and control of dirofilariosis.

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Dirofilariasis by Dirofilaria repens : an imported case and a brief review

Cited by 14 publications

References 9 publications

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe

Recent advances on Dirofilaria repens in dogs and humans in Europe

A combined human case of Dirofilaria ursi infection in dorsal subcutaneous tissue and Anisakis simplex sensu stricto (s.s.) infection in ventral subcutaneous tissue

Dirofilaria immitis in pinnipeds and a new host record

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