Hyperendemic Dirofilaria immitis infection in a sheltered dog population: an expanding threat in the Mediterranean region. Issue 8 (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Panarese, Rossella; Iatta, Roberta; Latrofa, Maria Stefania; Zatelli, Andrea; Ignjatović Ćupina, Aleksandra; Montarsi, Fabrizio; Pombi, Marco; Mendoza-Roldan, Jairo Alfonso; Beugnet, Frederic; Otranto, Domenico
• Is Part Of: International journal for parasitology. Volume 50:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 555
• Page End: 559
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: Dirofilaria immitis -- Dirofilaria repens -- Emerging disease -- Vector -- Culiseta annulata; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitology -- Periodicals; Parasitologie -- Périodiques; Parasitology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.999
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.04.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7519

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Abstract: A study on the occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis and its vectors was carried out in order to assess the prevalence of the disease in dogs in previously non-endemic areas of southern Italy. Blood samples ( n = 385) and mosquitoes ( n = 1540) were collected in two dog shelters and analysed by Knott's test and duplex real-time PCR, respectively. Dirofilaria immitis was the most prevalent filarioid (44.2%), while Culex pipiens was the most prevalent mosquito species (68.8%). This high prevalence of D. immitis infection confirms this location as one of the most hyperendemic foci of dirofilariosis in Europe.