Wolbachia and its influence on the pathology and immunology of Dirofilaria immitis infection

Kramer, Laura; Grandi, Giulio; Leoni, Marco; Passeri, Benedetta; McCall, John W.; Genchi, C.; Mortarino, Michele; Bazzocchi, Chiara

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.09.014

Cited by 79 publications

(37 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The effects of antibiotic treatment on D. immitis-infected dogs have also been studied. Doxycycline in combination with ivermectin or ivermectin plus melarsomine lowered the incidence of inflammatory pulmonary lesions and thrombi compared with controls treated with either doxycycline or melarsomine alone (213,261). Other studies have shown that interfering with dirofilarial transmission using antibiotics is feasible (261,363).…”

Section: Wolbachia As a Therapeutic Targetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

et al. 2012

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SUMMARY Dirofilariasis represents a zoonotic mosaic, which includes two main filarial species ( Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens ) that have adapted to canine, feline, and human hosts with distinct biological and clinical implications. At the same time, both D. immitis and D. repens are themselves hosts to symbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia , the study of which has resulted in a profound shift in the understanding of filarial biology, the mechanisms of the pathologies that they produce in their hosts, and issues related to dirofilariasis treatment. Moreover, because dirofilariasis is a vector-borne transmitted disease, their distribution and infection rates have undergone significant modifications influenced by global climate change. Despite advances in our knowledge of D. immitis and D. repens and the pathologies that they inflict on different hosts, there are still many unknown aspects of dirofilariasis. This review is focused on human and animal dirofilariasis, including the basic morphology, biology, protein composition, and metabolism of Dirofilaria species; the climate and human behavioral factors that influence distribution dynamics; the disease pathology; the host-parasite relationship; the mechanisms involved in parasite survival; the immune response and pathogenesis; and the clinical management of human and animal infections.

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Section: Wolbachia As a Therapeutic Targetmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

et al. 2012

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“…Sequelae of infection in this model can be both extensive and dire. The obstructive presence of adult worms combined with the inflammatory milieu leads to substantial vascular changes, endarteritis, arterial muscular hypertrophy, pulmonary hypertension, pleural effusions, and sometimes death resulting from respiratory distress or cachexia (4,146,147). Other possible complications include eosinophilic pneumonitis, anemia, caval syndrome, and diverse kidney pathology (147).…”

Section: Dirofilaria Immitismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Comprehensive, Model-Based Review of Vaccine and Repeat Infection Trials for Filariasis

et al. 2013

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SUMMARY Filarial worms cause highly morbid diseases such as elephantiasis and river blindness. Since the 1940s, researchers have conducted vaccine trials in 27 different animal models of filariasis. Although no vaccine trial in a permissive model of filariasis has provided sterilizing immunity, great strides have been made toward developing vaccines that could block transmission, decrease pathological sequelae, or decrease susceptibility to infection. In this review, we have organized, to the best of our ability, all published filaria vaccine trials and reviewed them in the context of the animal models used. Additionally, we provide information on the life cycle, disease phenotype, concomitant immunity, and natural immunity during primary and secondary infections for 24 different filaria models.

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“…The only drug currently registered for adulticide therapy against canine heartworm is the arsenic derivative melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide, Merial), but the treatment is often followed by severe pulmonary thrombosis following the death of the entire worm population in a short period (12). It only affects adult Dirofilaria and its L5 developmental stage.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficiency of modified therapeutic protocol in the treatment of some varieties of canine cardiovascular dirofilariasis

Stepanovic

Ilić

Krstić

et al. 2015

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy

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The paper presents clinical diagnostic approaches and therapeutic effects of a specific protocol for the treatment of dogs with cardiovascular dirofilariasis in the Belgrade City (Serbia) territory. The study involved 50 privately owned dogs of different breeds, gender, and age, all showing signs of cardio -respiratory disorders. In addition to a general physical examination, blood tests were done to detect microfilaria and adult forms, and X-ray, ECG, and echocardiography were performed as well. At the first examination, 34 out of 50 examined dogs were positive for microfilaria and adult forms. Because of a lack of drug used as "the golden standard" in dirofilariasis treatment, it involved a combination of doxycycline (10 mg/kg) and ivermectin (6 µg/kg) supported with Advocate -Bayer spot-on. After six months, the first control was performed while continuing treatment with the aforesaid protocol, and the second control was performed after 12 months. Of the 34 treated dogs, all were negative for microfilaria, as early as after the first six months of the treatment (100%). One dog was positive for adult forms of the parasite after six and 12 months. In echocardiography and X-ray examination after 12 months, six dogs showed evident chronic changes. At controls conducted at sixth month and at one year, the implemented therapy was successful in 97.05% (33/34) of primarily infected dogs.

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Wolbachia and its influence on the pathology and immunology of Dirofilaria immitis infection

Cited by 79 publications

References 9 publications

Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

A Comprehensive, Model-Based Review of Vaccine and Repeat Infection Trials for Filariasis

Efficiency of modified therapeutic protocol in the treatment of some varieties of canine cardiovascular dirofilariasis

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