Prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in dogs in central-eastern Poland and histopathological changes caused by this infection

Osińska, B.; Demiaszkiewicz, A.W.; Pyziel, Anna M.; Kuligowska, Izabela; Lachowicz, J.; Dolka, I.

doi:10.2478/bvip-2014-0006

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…This is generally in agreement with the results of a previous study on 1588 dogs from Poland, reporting a much lower prevalence of D. repens in dogs from northern, western and southern Poland, spanning a range of just 0–10 % [10, 21]. Demiaszkiewicz et al [10] reported higher prevalence in dogs from eastern Poland, ranging between 13–16 % for Podlaskie and Lubelskie voivodeships, in regions not included in the present study.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

“…The presence of adult D. repens in dogs causes canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis, with a range of dermatological manifestations [ 20 ], but apparently may also be asymptomatic and chronic for several years [ 2 , 8 , 19 ]. The pathogenicity associated with accumulating high numbers of microfilariae in the circulating blood of infected dogs is also not well recognized but there are a few reports on possible acute and fatal outcomes of such infections associated with the presence of microfilariae in vital organs (heart, liver, kidney) [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe

et al. 2016

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BackgroundDirofilaria repens is a mosquito-transmitted, filarial nematode parasitizing dogs, cats and other carnivores. Recently, this parasite has spread in central Europe, including Poland. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of D. repens in cats and dogs in different regions of the country and to investigate the occurrence and consequences of co-infection with another fast-spreading vector-borne parasite, Babesia canis.ResultsIn the period 2013–2015, 147 blood samples from cats from central Poland and 257 blood samples from dogs from central, northern, southern and western Poland were collected. Prevalence of D. repens was determined by amplification and sequencing of the 12S rDNA gene fragment. Among dogs, 94 samples originated from clinically healthy dogs from central Poland (Masovia) and 58 samples originated from dogs that were infected with B. canis. Prevalence of D. repens was compared between these two groups of dogs.For the first time D. repens was identified in a cat from central Europe (0.7 % [95 % CL: 0–4.1 %]). The DNA of the filarial endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was detected in two cats (1.4 % [95 % CL: 0–5.5 %]). In dogs, the parasite was detected only in samples from central Poland (Masovia) (local prevalence = 38 % [95 % CL: 25.9–51.8 %]). Prevalence of D. repens was significantly higher in dogs with babesiosis (90 % [95 % CL: 81.6–94.5 %]). Co-infections of D. repens and B. canis were confirmed by sequencing in 30 dogs with babesiosis, but no co-infections were identified in healthy dogs from Masovia. Statistical analyses of blood parameters revealed that dogs with co-infections suffered more severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, but presented milder changes in biochemical parameters (i.e. less elevated concentration of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum urea) suggesting lower risk of hepatic or renal failure in comparison to dogs infected only with B. canis.ConclusionsThese findings are important due to the spread of dirofilariosis and babesiosis in central Europe, as microfilaraemic dogs seem to be more prone to babesiosis. The possible protective effect of the nematode infection against hepatic or renal failure in canine babesiosis and its mechanisms require further investigations.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe

et al. 2016

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“…Although not being highly liver specific ( 21 ), ALP is a marker having a good sensitivity for liver diseases in dogs, suggesting cholestasic disease or chronic hepatitis/cirrhosis. Other parameters suggesting liver injuries, as ALT and AST were reported to be increased in case reports of dogs infected with D. repens ( 5 , 22 ) and in some dogs in our study. This difference, however, was not statistically significant while comparing the infected and uninfected group, suggesting a rather big variability between infected individuals.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 63%

Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Dogs Naturally Infected With Dirofilaria repens

et al. 2020

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Subcutaneous dirofilariosis is a zoonotic disease emerging throughout Europe caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria repens . Despite its increasing prevalence, there is a large gap in knowledge of the impact of the parasite on the host. Currently classified as being non-pathogenic, recent evidence suggests that skin dirofilariosis is associated with dermatological conditions including concomitant pruritus, neoplastic processes, inflammation, and even blindness in dogs and humans. The aim of this study was to determine if natural canine D. repens infection leads to biological changes in the canine host. In a real-life veterinary clinic setting, animals are often presented to clinicians for unrelated issues, and D. repens is incidentally identified during inspection. As such, we compared hematological and biochemical parameters of 218 uninfected and 197 dogs naturally infected with D. repens . Interestingly, animals infected with D. repens had lower numbers of lymphocytes ( p < 0.001), red blood cells ( p < 0.001), and thrombocytes ( p = 0.025), decreased hematocrit ( p < 0.001), and increased alkaline phosphatase ( p = 0.016) and creatinine activity ( p = 0.023) compared to uninfected dogs. We further selected a subpopulation of 214 dogs having prima facie hematological and biochemical results within normal reference ranges to evaluate the effect of D. repens infections in seemingly healthy dogs. Among these patients, 93 dogs infected with D. repens had lower numbers of lymphocytes ( p = 0.031), red blood cells ( p = 0.025), and hematocrit ( p = 0.002), higher glucose levels ( p = 0.023), and border line elevated alkaline phosphatase levels ( p = 0.054) compared to 121 uninfected animals. Despite being categorized as asymptomatic, we have observed hematological and biochemical changes associated with D. repens infections in dogs, and our data suggest that dirofilariosis may induce a state of chronic stress. These results link the presence of skin dirofilariosis to biological changes in the canine host, suggesting a mechanism for pathogenicity and shedding new light on the host–parasite relationship.

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“…In all the cases mentioned, it was confirmed that the infections were caused by the D. repens species. Based on the above data, it can be concluded that currently, the infection of Dirofilaria repens occurs endemically in the Mazowieckie voivodeship, as confirmed by Osinska et al (2014). They also showed numerous cases in dogs from eastern Poland, i.e., the Lublin and Podlasie voivodeships.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 52%

Cytological diagnostics of subcutaneous dirofilariasis imitating proliferative lesions in dogs

Dzimira¹,

Prządka²

2020

Vet. Med. - Czech

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Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a disease in animals caused by invasions of nematodes, most often of the following species: Dirofilaria repens, D. tenuis, and D. striata transmitted by mosquitoes. Until recently, D. repens was endemic to the Mediterranean countries in Europe, but, in recent years, it has also been increasingly reported in Central and Eastern Europe. Cytological preparations collected by a fine-needle aspiration biopsy from nodular lesions located in the subcutis and skin of dogs were used to diagnose suspected proliferative lesions of a cancerous or inflammatory nature. The microscopic examination of the delivered cytological preparations revealed erythrocytes (very numerous), neutrophils and eosinophils (quite numerous), macrophages (single), and whole and/or damaged fragments of microfilariae of Dirofilaria sp. in various numbers. It should be noted that the described infection of Dirofilaria repens in Poland and other countries of this latitude will be an increasingly common pathology in dogs. Due to the mosquitoes transmitting the microfilariae, it is a zoonosis that is an increasingly frequent and a more serious threat to humans. In the differential diagnosis of various types of skin and subcutis lesions of unknown aetiology, dirofilariasis should be considered.

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Prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in dogs in central-eastern Poland and histopathological changes caused by this infection

Cited by 12 publications

References 17 publications

The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe

The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe

Hematological and Biochemical Changes in Dogs Naturally Infected With Dirofilaria repens

Cytological diagnostics of subcutaneous dirofilariasis imitating proliferative lesions in dogs

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