Comparison of the vector potential of different mosquito species for the transmission of heartworm,Dirofilaria immitis, in rural and urban areas in and surroundingStillwater,Oklahoma,U.S.A.

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis Leidy (Spirurida: Onchocercidae), or heartworm, is a mosquito-borne nematode that causes a fatal disease in carnivores. Although infection is preventable through prophylactic drugs, compliance and the spectre of resistance suggest vector control is a viable alternative. There were two main objectives in this study: (a) to evaluate the relationships between landscape and social factors and the number and species of heartworm-positive mosquitoes, with a specific focus on the importance of the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Stegomyia albopicta) (Diptera: Culicidae), and (b) to test the hypothesis that dog heartworm is more prevalent in suburban than in rural areas. To achieve these objectives, mosquitoes were collected from May to November 2010 at 16 rural and 16 urban locations in Payne County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. using three trapping methods that utilized, respectively, resting boxes, carbon dioxide traps and BG Sentinel traps. Urban areas showed greater numbers of Ae. albopictus and a higher overall likelihood of infection with D. immitis. Because many species of mosquito are responsible for heartworm transmission, current prophylactic treatment remains the best method of controlling this parasite.

Canine infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, Dirofilaria immitis, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. in Canada, 2013–2014

“…2). This urban-centered phenomenon is common in heartworm ecology in the US as domestic dogs serve as the major reservoir for infection of mosquitoes and large cities may harbour “heat islands” that create more favourable biologic conditions for the mosquitoes as compared to the surrounding rural areas [42]. While the total prevalence across Canada was quite low (0.42%) in the present paper, it was significantly higher than the previously described prevalence of 0.22% ( P  < 0.0001) [13].…”

Circulation of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis in Moldova

“…In order to make a definitive assessment of the vector competence of the different mosquito species, some studies in Europe analyzed mosquito heads and abdomens separately to differentiate between infective (potential to transmit the nematode) and infected specimens (only microfilaria in its stomach), but generally did not find significant differences regarding the classification as a vector or non-vector for Dirofilaria spp. [40–42, 46, 49–51]. A final assessment of the vector competence requires infection experiments evaluating the susceptibility of the different mosquito species using different microfilarial densities of the vertebrate host under consideration of the impact of Dirofilaria spp.…”

The ecological foundations of transmission potential and vector‐borne disease in urban landscapes

“…Likewise, a majority of the studies we discuss are focused on understanding vector transmission to humans. This reflects the distribution of published literature that can inform a mechanistic understanding of transmission parameters in urban systems, although both domestic animals and wildlife can also experience changes in disease prevalence (Bradley & Altizer 2007;Kellner et al 2012;Jennett, Smith & Wall 2013;Giraudeau et al 2014;Paras, O'Brien & Reiskind 2014) and susceptibility in urban habitat (Bradley & Altizer 2007;LaDeau et al 2011;Giraudeau et al 2014).…”

“…; Jennett, Smith & Wall ; Giraudeau et al . ; Paras, O'Brien & Reiskind ) and susceptibility in urban habitat (Bradley & Altizer ; LaDeau et al . ; Giraudeau et al .…”