The European Badger as a New Host for Dirofilaria immitis and an Update on the Distribution of the Heartworm in Wild Carnivores from Romania

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis is an important mosquito-borne nematode, being of both veterinary and public health concern. The typical final host is represented by the domestic dog, Canis familiaris, but it is able to infect a large variety of mammalian species. During the present study (March 2016–February 2022), a total of 459 wild carnivore carcasses belonging to 17 species, from Romania, were evaluated for the presence of adult D. immitis by necropsy. Overall, 20 animals (4.36%) were positive: twelve golden jackals, C. aureus (19.05%); four red foxes, Vulpes vulpes (6.67%); one raccoon dog, Nyctereutes procyonoides; two wild cats, Felis silvestris (4.65%); and one European badger, Meles meles (0.87%). This study provides further evidence of the occurrence of the canine heartworm, D. immitis, in Romania, expanding the known host spectrum, reports a new host species for this parasite, the European badger, and a new host for Europe, the raccoon dog.

Editorial: Dog filariosis: the threat walks not only in the blood stream

“…Following the same trend, D. repens has increased its prevalence in areas where it has already been reported, and its distribution range has expanded into new areas of Europe, with new cases in both dog and human hosts (9). Dirofilaria immitis, the main representant of this genus, has been reported to predominantly infecting dogs, other animal species (e.g., cats, wild canids, badger), and humans (5,10,11). In dogs, adult nematodes localize primarily in the pulmonary arteries, causing a severe and debilitating cardio-pulmonary condition known as "heartworm disease" (12).…”

Wildlife parasitology: sample collection and processing, diagnostic constraints, and methodological challenges in terrestrial carnivores

“…Eggs and larvae can be detected using tracheal or bronchial scrapings as well as histopathological examination [ 206 ]. Microfilariae can be detected in the blood or in sanguinolent body fluids collected from carcasses using the modified Knott’s test [ 214 ] with distilled water [ 215 ].…”

Wild Mesocarnivores as Reservoirs of Endoparasites Causing Important Zoonoses and Emerging Bridging Infections across Europe

“…Although mustelids have a wide distribution in Europe and are in close contact with domestic animals, parasitological studies of these animals are limited and most of the time include incidental findings. In the last decade, some zoonotic and emerging diseases were detected for the first time in mustelid species [ 280 , 281 ], including the invasive species Neogale vison [ 282 ]. The absence of relevant studies in some countries could be related to a low research interest in this animal family or to the legally protected status of many mustelids.…”

“…Although the occurrence of D. immitis microfilaraemia was documented in a badger by microscopical examination and molecular detection, which would normally signify a potential reservoir host, this isolated finding could be considered accidental and further research is needed (e.g., prevalence of infection, microfilaraemia duration) in order to establish the exact role of badgers in the transmission and maintenance of dirofilariosis in a given area [ 281 ].…”