Filarial Nematodes in Dogs from the Northeast Region of Brazil.

Autor: Rocha DODN; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil., Macedo LO; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil. luciamacedo162@gmail.com., Oliveira JCP; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil., Silva SS; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.; Graduate Program in Animal Biosciences, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil., Cleveland HPK; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil., Ramos CADN; Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil., Marques AS; Brazilian University Center, Recife, Brazil., Alves LC; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil., de Carvalho GA; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil., Ramos RAN; Laboratory of Parasitology, Federal University of the Agreste of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Acta parasitologica [Acta Parasitol] 2024 Jun; Vol. 69 (2), pp. 1115-1121. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 27.
DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00834-x
Abstrakt: Purpose: Medical and veterinary filarial nematodes are transmitted by blood-feeding vectors. In dogs, these parasites are mainly represented by nematodes in which microfilariae dwell in the blood (Dirofilaria spp. and Acanthocheilonema spp.) or skin (Cercopithifilaria spp. and Onchocerca lupi). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these filarial infections in dogs residing in a touristic, heavily populated location in the northeastern region of Brazil.
Methods: Blood samples (n = 245) were assessed by a modified Knott test, followed by a qualitative ELISA test (SNAP® 4Dx® Plus, IDEXX Laboratory, Westbrook, Maine, USA) for the detection of antibodies against Anaplasma spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Ehrlichia spp. and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. Skin samples (n = 71) were microscopically examined and molecularly assessed through a PCR targeting the 12 S rRNA gene.
Results: Microfilariae and antigen of D. immitis were detected simultaneously in 15 (6.1%; 95% CI = 3.7-9.8) animals. Nine animals (3.6%; 95% CI = 1.9-6.8) were D. immitis antigen positive but microfilariae negative and nine other animals (3.6%; 95% CI = 1.9-6.8) were microfilariae positive but D. immitis antigen negative. D. immitis positive dogs were found in four different municipalities. No filarioids were detected in the skin after microscopical and molecular analyses.
Conclusion: Data from this study demonstrate that D. immitis is the main filarial nematode infecting dogs in coastal areas in northeastern Brazil. Based on the potential risk of infection in which animals are submitted, it is essential to perform tests to detect microfilariae and D. immitis antigen. Preventive measures must be adopted by using microfilaricidal compounds and anti-feeding insecticides to prevent canine infection.
(© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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