Seroreactivity to Dirofilariaantigens in people from different areas of Serbia

Abstract

BackgroundThe Northern part of Serbia is hyperendemic-endemic for canine dirofilarioses. Considering this fact, many human dirofilarial infections could be expected, however only about 30 cases in Serbia have been described until today. Aims of this survey were to assess the people reactivity to the antigens of D. repens and D. immitis and to identify risk factors for the contact exposure.MethodsInvestigation included sera taken from 297 people (179 women and 118 men) living in different areas of Serbia (Pančevo, Novi Sad, Zaječar, Leskovac, Vranje, Niš, Pirot). Sera were analysed by means of two indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) home-designed that use as antigens adult somatic/metabolic polyproteins of D. repens (DR) and D. immitis (DI), respectively. The results were elaborated using the statistical method of descriptive and quantitative analysis.ResultsSignificant differences by area in the reactivity of human sera to dirofilarial antigens were not observed (p = 0.056). A high seroreactivity was demonstrated in people from the towns of northern Serbia (Pančevo = 27,1%; Novi Sad = 16,3%), as well as in people from Zaječar (eastern Serbia = 15,8%) and Vranje (southern Serbia = 15,1%). No differences were evidenced between people reactivity to polyproteins of the two dirofilarial species, nor differences related to the gender of examinees. Factor risks evidenced were: i) place of residence; ii) spending work time outdoors during the mosquito season; iii) spending time outdoors and nearby rivers, lakes, swamps or canals; unespectedly, iv) cat owning.ConclusionThe findings emerging from this investigation indicate that clinicians and public health authorities should pay greater attention to this zoonosis. Continuing education and training of physicians will greatly contribute to the knowledge of the actual impact of filarial worms on animal and public health, and allow for the planning of suitable measures to prevent the infections.

First records of Dirofilaria repens in wild canids from the region of Central Balkan

“…The southernmost reports on human dirofilariosis are from Vranje and Prizren where the patients had worms in the subconjunctival and periocular tissues (Tasić et al, 2011;Jakšić et al, 2011). A recent study has shown that seroreactivity to D. repens antigens was found in 29 out of 297 people examined (9.8%) from 7 different areas of Serbia (Tasić-Otašević et al, 2014). The same study points out that the highest seroreactivity is recorded in the northeastern part of the country (Pančevo, 27.1%) close to sites where D. repens was found in wild animals in this study.…”

Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis: Case report

“…It is interesting that, contrary to the expectations, human dirofilariasis is rare in some areas hyper-endemic for canine dirofilariasis [4]. It could be expected that regions hyper-endemic for canine dirofilariasis would have a greater number of human dirofilariasis, but this is not the rule.…”

“…Some parts of Serbia and Montenegro are hyperendemic areas for dirofilariasis in dogs (about 60% of dogs are infected) caused by D. repens [4].…”

Subconjunctival Infection due to Dirofilaria Repens ‐Case Report

“…However, the results of the recent research on seroreactivity to Dirofilaria antigens conducted in Serbia show that we can expect the human infection in our city because seroreactivity was proved in 5.3% (95% CI0.1-24.6%) of examiness from Niš (16,25).…”

“…This is the first case of the human ocular, subconjunctival dirofilariosis on the territory of the southeast Serbia and the city of Niš. Note that in this case there was no history of patient's trips or stay in other parts of Serbia, such as Vojvodina which is considered as a hyperendemic area for D. repens in dogs (16,(20)(21)(22)(23)(24).…”