Current prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, cats and humans from the island of Gran Canaria, Spain

Montoya-Alonso, José Alberto; Carretón, Elena; Corbera, Juan Alberto; Juste, M.C.; Mellado, Isabel; Morchón, Rodrigo; Simón, F.

doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.01.011

Cited by 63 publications

(72 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…In the Canary Islands, two seroepidemiological studies showed an increase in feline dirofilariasis prevalences from 18.3% to 33% be-tween 2004 and 2011 (281,289). In Japan, a prevalence rate of 2% has been shown for the Kanto region (143), and a prevalence rate of 3 to 5.2% has been found for domestic cats on the islands of Honshu and Kyushu (362), whereas in South Korea, 2.6% of feral cats harbored parasites (240).…”

Section: Feline Dirofilariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the relocated animals, 48.8% of dogs and 3.9% of cats were positive for heartworm, thus contributing to the geographical dissemination of dirofilariasis (229). In Grand Canary Island, the prevalence of D. immitis increased from 28% to 58.9% between 1988 and 1998 (279, 360), followed by a decrease to 19.2% in 2011 (281), coinciding with the widespread use of chemoprophylaxis. However, the prevalence remains at 40% in Podenco Canario hounds (a native breed of hunting and guard dog), which are kept in poor conditions and exposed to mosquitoes without chemoprophylaxis (279,282).…”

Section: Dirofilaria Spp In Vector Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

et al. 2012

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SUMMARY Dirofilariasis represents a zoonotic mosaic, which includes two main filarial species ( Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens ) that have adapted to canine, feline, and human hosts with distinct biological and clinical implications. At the same time, both D. immitis and D. repens are themselves hosts to symbiotic bacteria of the genus Wolbachia , the study of which has resulted in a profound shift in the understanding of filarial biology, the mechanisms of the pathologies that they produce in their hosts, and issues related to dirofilariasis treatment. Moreover, because dirofilariasis is a vector-borne transmitted disease, their distribution and infection rates have undergone significant modifications influenced by global climate change. Despite advances in our knowledge of D. immitis and D. repens and the pathologies that they inflict on different hosts, there are still many unknown aspects of dirofilariasis. This review is focused on human and animal dirofilariasis, including the basic morphology, biology, protein composition, and metabolism of Dirofilaria species; the climate and human behavioral factors that influence distribution dynamics; the disease pathology; the host-parasite relationship; the mechanisms involved in parasite survival; the immune response and pathogenesis; and the clinical management of human and animal infections.

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Section: Feline Dirofilariasismentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Dirofilaria Spp In Vector Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human and Animal Dirofilariasis: the Emergence of a Zoonotic Mosaic

et al. 2012

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“…Thus, the identification of the mosquito vector species involved in the transmission in such endemic area is a key feature to a correct understanding of the transmission dynamics in both animal reservoirs and human hosts. Tenerife and Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) have been reported as hyperendemic áreas for dirofilariosis with high canine prevalences [16,17]. Moreover the risks for humans have been demonstrated by the detection of specific anti-D. immitis antibodies in resident of the both islands [42,17].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The climate of Canary Islands is very different from those of the European continent. A significant change in climate, vegetation, and mountain geography can be observed by travelling only a few kilometers in both islands [16,17] being Gran Canaria a drier climate than Tenerife. The captures were carried out in 4 places on Tenerife (San Cristóbal de La Laguna, San Andrés, Güímar, Guía de Isora and Granadilla) and 3 places on Gran Canaria (Jardín Botánico, Veneguera and Juncalillo).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Characterization of Culex Theileri from Canary Islands, Spain, a Potential Vector of Dirofilaria Immitis

Bargues¹

2013

J Clin Exp Pathol

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Dirofilaria immitis is the causal agent of heartworm diseases and of human pulmonary dirofilariosis. The infection is transmitted by several species of culicid mosquitoes that are frequently able to bite both animal reservoirs and humans. Canary Islands (Spain) constitute a well documented endemic area of canine dirofilariosis in which the mosquito species involved in the transmission of D. immitis are not known. The objectives of the present work were the identification of vectors of this parasite in Canary Islands and their molecular characterization. A total of 1219 female mosquitoes were captured. The most abundant species was Culex theileri (52.26%) followed by Cx. pipiens (35.44%), Anopheles cinereus hispaniola (6.23%), Culiseta longiareolata (5.74%), and Culex laticintus (0.33%). PCR was applied for the detection of larval D. immitis DNA in mosquitoes. D. immitis DNA was observed in the abdomen of one Cx. theileri female: 0.082% of the entire mosquito population and 0.17% in Cx. theileri. A molecular identification of Cx. theileri, the potential mosquito vector of dirofilariosis in this zoonotic focus in Canary Islands of Spain, has been made for first time based on sequences of the 18S rRNA gene, the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA and the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase I (cox1) gene of mitochondrial DNA, allowing a broad mosquito molecular basis for future populations genetic analyses of this vector species. Parasitological and entomological molecular results suggest that Cx. theileri is a potential natural vector of D. immitis in Canary Islands.

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