Molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from Vojvodina, Serbia

Potkonjak, Aleksandar; Rojas, Alicia; Gutiérrez, Ricardo; Nachum‐Biala, Yaarit; Kleinerman, Gabriela; Savić, Sara; Polaček, Vladimir; Pušić, Ivan; Harrus, Shimon; Baneth, Gad

doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101409

Cited by 14 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In addition, infections have also been found to be prevalent in wild canids ( 39 ), which could mean there is a risk of D. immitis infection between the dog population and the wild canid population. Meanwhile, D. repens was found to circulate mostly in golden jackal and red fox populations ( 27 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused mainly by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens that affect dogs and humans all over the world. Serbia is considered an endemic country to both forms of dirofilariasis, although most of the population is concentrated in the north of the country. The aims of this study were to show the prevalence of D. immitis and D. repens in dogs and the seroprevalence in humans compared to previous studies in Northern Serbia. In total, 346 dog sera samples and 265 human samples were analyzed. Dog blood samples were analyzed using the modified Knott's method to check whether there were Dirofilaria spp. microfilariae and serum samples were checked by a commercial D. immitis antigen test. Human serum samples were analyzed with a non-commercial ELISA for detection of specific anti- D. immitis , anti- D. repens , and anti- Wolbachia IgG antibodies, and confirmed by western blotting. The overall prevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in dogs was 29.19%. The overall prevalence for D. immitis was 26.30%. The percentages of D. immitis and D. repens microfilaremia in dogs were 25.72 and 1.45%, respectively, while D. immitis ./ D. repens microfilaremia co-infections were also 1.45%. The overall seroprevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in humans was 3.77%. The overall seroprevalence for D. immitis was 1.51, 1.13% for D. repens , and for D. immitis / D. repens co-infections was 1.13%. The results indicate that D. immitis and D. repens are present in dogs and humans in the province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of Serbia. It is most likely associated with the presence of many rivers, the climate, and presence of mosquitoes in the area, so there could be a real public health risk.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Few human cases have been reported to be caused by D. repens or have had specific antibodies found ( 25 , 26 ). To explain the rise of dirofilariasis, studies suggest that red foxes and golden jackals may serve as reservoir hosts ( 27 ) and Culex pipiens and Aedes vexans act as vectors of both diseases in Northern Serbia ( 28 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia

et al. 2020

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Diagnostic methods available for infections with D. immitis are based on detection of microfilaria (modified Knott's test or filtation test), antigen (ELISA), antibodies (ELISA) or specific genes (COI by PCR) of D. immitis [18,29,32].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs from Shelters in Vojvodina, Serbia

Marčić

Potkonjak

Stošić

et al. 2020

Acta Scientiae. Vet.

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Dirofilaria immitis is vector borne parasite of carnivores, with zoonotic potential, endemic in many parts of the world, including Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from shelters, especially compared to their lifestyle. Dogs living in shelters in Serbia may be at high risk of acquiring vector borne pathogens, mainly because most of them live outside in pens and backyards, in contact with vectors. Also, dogs in shelters are not always regularly treated against ectoparasites, thus, representing an easy feeding source for the vectors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from 5 shelters in South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. Also, the objective was to compare the relation of infection with Dirofiaria immitis with age, sex, type of keeping the animals and preventive treatment in dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Between May 2017 and October 2019, blood samples were collected from 336 randomly selected dogs from 5 shelters in 2 districts, South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. The epidemiological survey has been conducted with all of the dogs involved in this research. The survey was designed to collect data about sex, age, lifestyles, food type, treatment against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones, regular testing for Dirofilaria infections. The presence of circulating microfilariae was examined using a modified Knott’s test. For the presence of circulating adult female Dirofilaria immitis antigen, serum samples were tested by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which reacts to antigen of female Dirofilaria. In total, 336 dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. For that dog population which came from 5 shelters, total prevalence was 25.30%. Most of the positive findings were observed in a shelter where dogs lived exclusively outdoors in fenced yards in big groups and they were partly tested for heartworm infections from time to time. These dogs were not treated with macrocyclic lactones, against mosquitoes with insecticides or filarioid worms. The prevalence in this shelter was 56.36%. On the contrary to that, the lowest positive findings were detected in the shelter, where dogs were allowed to move freely between outside and indoors and they were also provided with accommodation indoors. These dogs have been regularly tested for Dirofilaria infections and treated against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones. In this shelter the seroprevalence was 7.69%. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis were detected, by modified Knott’s test, in all of the antigen positive dog samples; except in 2 dogs from one shelter. Discussion: This study shows persistence of cardiopulmonary dirofiariosis in shelter dogs under different maintaining conditions. By comparing the data during the last 17 years, it can be stated that there is a constant increase of prevalence for Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in northern part of Serbia over the years. The results gained in this study are important from the veterinary point of view, but also from the Public Health point of view.

show abstract

“…Dogs and wild canids can be defi nitive hosts for both types of Dirofi laria sp. On the other side, less well adapted or "aberrant" hosts are cats, wild felids and other mammalians (Potkonjak et al, 2020). Th ere are two forms of dirofi lariosis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accidental Finding of Dirofilaria Repens in Dog During the Quality Control of Semen – Case Report

Apić

Barna

Zekic-Stosic

et al. 2020

AVM

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A nine-year-old male dog of Doberman breed was taken to the laboratory for animal reproduction of the Scientific Veterinary Institute „Novi Sad“ for semen quality control. The sample of the ejaculate was taken without difficulty; however, the sample contained a significant amount of fresh blood (total ejaculate volume was 5 ml). The assessment of semen quality from such sample was not possible because blood components mask the spermatozoa. Nevertheless, the sample of ejaculate drop was placed for microscopic observation and analysis. In the semen, a lot of blood cells and only a few spermatozoids (mostly not moving) were found; however, something else was observed - the presence of a live motile organism, long-shaped, looking very much like a larval stage of a parasite Dirofilaria sp. Next day, the blood sample was taken for the analysis for dirofilariosis. The result of the ELISA test for Dirofilaria immitis antigen was negative indicating the absence of adult worms of Dirofilaria immitis. The result of modified Knott test showed the presence of larval stages of Dirofilaria repens.

show abstract

Molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from Vojvodina, Serbia

Cited by 14 publications

References 34 publications

Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia

Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs from Shelters in Vojvodina, Serbia

Accidental Finding of Dirofilaria Repens in Dog During the Quality Control of Semen – Case Report

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About