PESQUISA VETERINÁRIA BRASILEIRA

Abstract in English:

Dirofilaria immitis is a heart and large vessel parasite that mainly affects domestic dogs and has shown a re-emerging zoonosis in recent years. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence, associated factors, and geographic areas of D. immitis in dogs in the city of Sousa, Paraíba, Northeast Brazil. A total of 320 dogs were selected and evaluated, 160 domiciled and 160 wandering, from the 32 districts of the city. Clinical examination, blood collection, and epidemiological data retrieval were performed for each animal. The sanitation conditions of the environment were visually observed at the time of evaluation. Three methods were used to investigate the morphometric diagnosis of microfilariae: capillary blood smear (ESC), peripheral blood smear (ESP), and modified Knott test. The data were subjected to univariate and multivariate statistics for the observation of risk factors and qualitative assessment of the examinations. Of the 17.5% (56/320) of animals testing positive for D. immitis, 25% (40/160) were wandering and 10% (16/160) were domiciled dogs. Positive dogs were found in 24 of the 32 neighborhoods evaluated, with Angelim and Doutor Zezé having the highest percentages of 1.56% (5/320) each. Only the categories of cardiac alterations (OR 6.231 [1,539-25,236]) and stray dogs (OR 2.463 [1,281-4,735]) demonstrated potential risk factors for infection. Of the 56 positive animals, 28 were positive in the three tests, and another 28 showed variance between methods and/or between prepared slides. No other filaridae were observed. The city of Sousa is considered to have a significant prevalence of infection by D. immitis, and forms of control and prophylaxis are required to reduce the risks of transmission to animals, as well as to humans.

• Dirofilaria immitis infection dogs Brazil arrhythmia parasite wandering zoonosis

Abstract in Portuguese:

Dirofilaria immitis é um parasito de coração e de grandes vasos que acomete principalmente cães domésticos, também causador de uma zoonose reemergente nos últimos anos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar a prevalência, fatores associados e áreas geográficas de D. immitis em cães na cidade de Sousa, Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil. Para isso, foram selecionados e avaliados 320 cães, sendo 160 domiciliados e 160 errantes, provenientes dos 32 bairros da cidade. Foi realizado o exame clínico, coleta de sangue e dados epidemiológicos de cada animal. O ambiente foi observado visualmente quanto as condições de saneamento no momento de avaliação. Para pesquisa de microfilárias, foram realizados três métodos: esfregaço sanguíneo capilar (ESC), periférico (ESP) e teste de Knott-modificado, associado ao diagnóstico morfométrico das microfilárias. Os dados foram submetidos a estatísticas uni e multivariadas para observação de fatores de risco e avaliação qualitativa dos exames. Obteve-se prevalência de 17,5% (56/320) de animais positivos para D. immitis, sendo 25% (40/160) errantes e 10% (16/160) domiciliados. Dos 32 bairros avaliados, em 24 foram encontrados cães positivos, sendo Angelim e Doutor Zezé, os bairros com maior percentual 1,56% (5/320) cada. Somente as categorias de alterações cardíacas (OR 6,231 [1.539-25.236]) e cães errantes (OR 2,463 [1.281-4.735]) demonstraram potencial fator de risco para infecção. Dos 56 animais positivos, 28 apresentaram positividade nos três testes, e outros 28 demonstraram variância entre métodos e/ou entre lâminas confeccionadas. Não foram observados outros filarídeos. Considerou-se que a cidade de Sousa apresenta prevalência significativa de infecção por D. immitis, sendo necessário estabelecer formas de controle e profilaxia, para reduzir os riscos da transmissão para animais, como também para humanos.

• Infecção Dirofilaria immitis cães caninos arritmia errante parasito zoonose

Abstract in English:

Dirofilaria immitis, a parasite that mainly infects domestic or wild canids, but can infect felines or humans as well, is frequent in many Brazilian areas. The main objective of this research was to determine the prevalence of natural canine infection at the Algodoal‑Maiandeua Island complex, in the coastal region of the state of Pará, Brazil. A total of 67 dogs were sampled for blood microfilariae detection and for D. immitis DNA detection. Microfilaria and D. immitis DNA could be detected in 35.8% (24/67) of the animals. In one dog’s sample no microfilariae were detected, but the PCR was positive, suggesting that either larvae recently were eliminated or adults died shortly before sample collecting. Therefore, it can be concluded that the occurrence of D. immitis is a health threat for domestic and wild canids at the Island of Algodoal, as well as for feline or human health.

• Occurrence canids Dirofilaria immitis infection dogs Algodoal Island Brazilian Amazon heartworm PCR

Abstract in Portuguese:

Dirofilaria immitis, um parasito que infecta principalmente canídeos domésticos ou selvagens, embora também possa infectar felinos e humanos, é frequente em muitas áreas do Brasil. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência da infecção natural em cães provenientes do complexo da Ilha de Algodoal-Maiandeua, região litorânea do estado do Pará, Brasil. Um total de 67 cães tiveram o sangue coletado para detecção de microfilárias de D. immitis e seu DNA. Microfilárias e o DNA de D. immitis foram detectados em 35,8% (24/67) dos animais. Na amostra de um animal, não foram observadas microfilárias, mas o seu DNA foi detectado, sugerindo que as larvas tenham sido recentemente eliminadas ou os adultos tenham morrido antes da coleta da amostra. Portanto, pode-se concluir que a ocorrência de D. immitis é uma ameaça à saúde de canídeos domésticos no complexo da Ilha de Algodoal-Maiandeua, bem como para felinos e seres humanos.

• Ocorrência cães infecção Dirofilaria immitis verme do coração PCR Ilha de Algodoal Amazônia brasileira

Abstract in English:

ABSTRACT.- Filoni C., Pena H.F.J., Gennari S.M., Cristo D.S., Torres L.N. & Catão-Dias J.L. 2009. Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease in a Brazilian oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(6):373-478. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: claudiafiloni@triade.org.br Heartworm disease is caused by the intravascular nematode Dirofilaria immitis, a pathogen of public health importance usually associated to domestic dogs and cats, and to a lesser extend to other mammal species. The oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) is a threatened neotropic felid species that naturally occurs in Brazil. Here, we report the encounter of adult and larval stages of heartworms in a female specimen of L. tigrinus, probable of free-ranging origin, from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, which died showing clinical signals compatible with heartworm disease. This was the first reported case of D. immitis infection and associated disease in L. tigrinus, also suggesting that the oncilla acted as a definitive host for this parasite. The present findings confirmed D. immitis as a pathogenic agent for this felid species, thus supporting the recommendation for the inclusion of diagnostic testing for this pathogen in routine health screening procedures for captive and free-ranging oncillas in Brazil, especially in those localities where climate conditions support the occurrence of the parasite. Potential reservoirs as oncillas are established beyond the reach of veterinary care, thus representing a continuing risk for domestic animals and humans acquiring heartworm infection. We encourage further serologic and molecular studies aiming to establish D. immitis prevalences in L. tigrinus and other wild carnivores in the region of Ubatuba, as well as ecological and veterinary studies to access the role of this pathogen for the survival of this threatened felid species.

• Dirofilaria immitis heartworm disease Leopardus tigrinus neotropic felid Brazil

Abstract in Portuguese:

ABSTRACT.- Filoni C., Pena H.F.J., Gennari S.M., Cristo D.S., Torres L.N. & Catão-Dias J.L. 2009. Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) disease in a Brazilian oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus). Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 29(6):373-478. Departamento de Patologia, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, Cidade Universitária, São Paulo, SP 05508-270, Brazil. E-mail: claudiafiloni@triade.org.br Heartworm disease is caused by the intravascular nematode Dirofilaria immitis, a pathogen of public health importance usually associated to domestic dogs and cats, and to a lesser extend to other mammal species. The oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus) is a threatened neotropic felid species that naturally occurs in Brazil. Here, we report the encounter of adult and larval stages of heartworms in a female specimen of L. tigrinus, probable of free-ranging origin, from Ubatuba, São Paulo, Brazil, which died showing clinical signals compatible with heartworm disease. This was the first reported case of D. immitis infection and associated disease in L. tigrinus, also suggesting that the oncilla acted as a definitive host for this parasite. The present findings confirmed D. immitis as a pathogenic agent for this felid species, thus supporting the recommendation for the inclusion of diagnostic testing for this pathogen in routine health screening procedures for captive and free-ranging oncillas in Brazil, especially in those localities where climate conditions support the occurrence of the parasite. Potential reservoirs as oncillas are established beyond the reach of veterinary care, thus representing a continuing risk for domestic animals and humans acquiring heartworm infection. We encourage further serologic and molecular studies aiming to establish D. immitis prevalences in L. tigrinus and other wild carnivores in the region of Ubatuba, as well as ecological and veterinary studies to access the role of this pathogen for the survival of this threatened felid species.