A study on the incidence and diagnosistics of dirofilariosis (heartworm disease) in carnivores
Year: 2001
Type: article
Abstract: During the period 1997–1999, 258 canine blood samples were analysed. The animals were of a various origin: 65 working dogs, 27 shepherd dogs, 55 rural dogs, 40 stray dogs and 71 companion dogs. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis were detected in 19 or 7.4% of all studied samples by the method of Knott. The incidence of parasites was the greatest in stray (12.5%) and rural (10.9%) followed by working (7.7%) and shepherd (7.4%) dogs. Dogs kept as companion animals were the least invaded (1.4%). All 19 microfilaria-positive samples reacted positively with the Pet Check HTWMPT test (Idexx) for detection of D. immitis antigens. The study on 25 blood samples from microfilariaemic dogs, showing doubtful clinical signs of dirofilariosis yielded positive results in 2 animals (8%) with the Pet Check test. The uncomplete helminthological necropsy of 40 stray dogs, 78 foxes, 45 jackals, 18 wolves, 21 martens, 16 wild cats and 6 badgers revealed mature D. immitis organisms in the heart and pulmonary arteries of 5 stray dogs, 4 foxes, 2 jackals and 1 wolf. The D. immitis invasion within the risk groups of stray, working and rural dogs and wild canids creates prerequisites for its transmission through mosquitos to other, less endangered, but susceptible canine populations.
Authors: Georgieva, D., Kirkova, Z., Ivanov, A.
Language: English
Subfield: Infectious Diseases
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7132487809