Entomological and sociobehavioral components of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in two Florida communities with a high or low prevalence of dogs with heartworm infection

Ledesma, Nicholas; Kaufman, Phillip E.; Xue, Rui‐De; Leyen, Christopher; Macapagal, Mark J.; Winokur, Olivia C.; Harrington, Laura C.

doi:10.2460/javma.254.1.93

Cited by 10 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Interestingly, a majority (68.8%) of owners in the present study reported current use of a HWCM, similar to other recent papers surveying dog owners in Oklahoma and Florida [26,45]. This high owner-reported prevalence of use contrasts with other data indicating that, even in areas where heartworm infection is common, only a minority of pet dogs receive a HWCM [46,47].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study

et al. 2020

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Background: The rapid growth in off-leash dog parks provides opportunity for canine socialization activities but carries risk of exposure to intestinal parasites. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections in dogs visiting off-leash dog parks. Methods: Fresh defecations were collected from dogs visiting parks in 30 metropolitan areas across the USA. Samples were analyzed by coproantigen immunoassay (CAI) (Fecal Dx ® and Giardia Test, IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.) and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation (CF). Owners responded to a questionnaire on their dog's signalment and use of heartworm/intestinal parasite control medications (HWCM). Results: Samples were examined from 3006 dogs, 87.9% aged at least 12 months, visiting 288 parks. At least one intestinal parasite was detected in 622 (20.7%) samples, nematodes in 263 (8.8%), with hookworms, whipworms and ascarids in 7.1, 1.9 and 0.6% of samples, respectively. A sample positive for one or more intestinal parasites was found in 245 (85.1%) parks, with nematodes found in 143 (49.7%). Combined, CAI and CF detected 78.4% more intestinal nematode infections than CF alone. Hookworm and whipworm infections were detected in all age groups, but ascarids were only detected in dogs less than 4 years-old. Approximately 42% of dogs aged less than 1 year were positive for nematodes or Giardia. Based on owner reports, HWCM was current for 68.8% of dogs, dogs previously diagnosed with intestinal parasitism were more likely to be receiving a HWCM than those without such history, and a significantly lower (P = 0.0003) proportion of dogs receiving a HWCM were positive for intestinal nematodes compared with those not on such medication. Conclusions: Intestinal parasites, the most common of which were Giardia, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 20% of dogs and 85% of dog parks across the USA. Enhanced detection of canine intestinal parasitism was achieved by combining CF and CAI. Canine intestinal parasites are common across the USA and dog health can be improved by regular testing of fecal samples and routine administration of medications effective against the most common infections.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 83%

Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study

et al. 2020

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“…aegypti as an efficient vector of D. immitis in dogs [80,81], and a study in Florida found Ae. aegypti infected with D. immitis [82]. Given that Ae.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Rate of Non-Human Feeding by Aedes aegypti Reduces Zika Virus Transmission in South Texas

Olson

Ndeffo-Mbah

Juarez

et al. 2020

Viruses

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Mosquito-borne viruses are emerging or re-emerging globally, afflicting millions of people around the world. Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is the principal vector of dengue, Zika, and chikungunya viruses, and has well-established populations across tropical and subtropical urban areas of the Americas, including the southern United States. While intense arboviral epidemics have occurred in Mexico and further south in the Americas, local transmission in the United States has been minimal. Here, we study Ae. aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus host feeding patterns and vertebrate host communities in residential environments of South Texas to identify host-utilization relative to availability. Only 31% of Ae. aegypti blood meals were derived from humans, while 50% were from dogs and 19% from other wild and domestic animals. In Cx. quinquefasciatus, 67% of blood meals were derived from chicken, 22% came from dogs, 9% from various wild avian species, and 2% from other mammals including one human, one cat, and one pig. We developed a model for the reproductive number, R0, for Zika virus (ZIKV) in South Texas relative to northern Mexico using human disease data from Tamaulipas, Mexico. We show that ZIKV R0 in South Texas communities could be greater than one if the risk of human exposure to Ae. aegypti bites in these communities is at least 60% that of Northern Mexico communities. The high utilization of non-human vertebrates and low risk of human exposure in South Texas diminishes the outbreak potential for human-amplified urban arboviruses transmitted by Ae. aegypti.

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“…However, hookworm, whipworm, or ascarid infections were still detected in some dogs reportedly receiving HWCM in the present study, perhaps due to the earlier detection afforded by antigen testing, the short (2-3 week) prepatent period of hookworm, and the fact that not all HWCMs are effective against whipworm or other intestinal nematodes [16,17,27,38]. For example, injectable products are not effective against either whipworm or ascarids, and are not FDA-label approved for efficacy against new hookworm infections beyond the time of initial administration [39,40]. Detection of nematode infections and other parasites in dogs reported to be receiving HWCMs in the present study indicates that regular testing is warranted for all dogs even when these medications are used.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasitism at Recreational Canine Sites in the United States (the DOGPARCS study)

Stafford

Kollasch

Duncan

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The rapid growth in off-leash dog parks provides opportunity for canine socialization activities but carries risk of exposure to intestinal parasites. This study assessed the prevalence of these infections in dogs visiting dog parks.Methods: Fresh defecations were collected from dogs visiting parks in 30 metropolitan areas across the United States. Samples were analyzed by coproantigen immunoassay (CAI) (FecalDx® and Giardia Test, IDEXX Laboratories) and zinc sulfate centrifugal flotation (CF). Owners responded to a questionnaire on their dog’s signalment and use of heartworm/intestinal parasite control medications (HWCM). Results: Samples were examined from 3,006 dogs, 87.9% aged at least 12 months, visiting 288 parks. At least one intestinal parasite was detected in 622 (20.7%) samples, nematodes in 263 (8.8%), with hookworm, whipworm, and ascarids in 7.1, 1.9, and 0.6% of samples, respectively. A sample positive for one or more intestinal parasites was found in 245 (85.1%) parks, with nematodes found in 143 (49.7%). Combined, CAI and CF detected 78.4% more intestinal nematode infections than CF alone. Hookworm and whipworm were detected in all age groups, but ascarids were only detected in dogs less than 4 years. Approximately 42% of dogs aged less than 1 year were positive for nematodes or Giardia. Based on owner reports, HWCM was current for 68.8% of dogs, dogs previously diagnosed with intestinal parasitism were more likely to be receiving a HWCM than those without such history, and a significantly lower (P = 0.0003) proportion of dogs receiving a HWCM were positive for intestinal nematodes compared with those not on such medication.Conclusion: Intestinal parasites, the most common of which were Giardia, Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis, were found in 20% of dogs and 85% of dog parks across the United States. Optimal detection of canine intestinal parasitism was achieved by combining CF and CAI. Canine intestinal parasites are common across the United States, and dog health can be enhanced by regular testing of fecal samples and routine administration of medications effective against the most common infections.

show abstract

Entomological and sociobehavioral components of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in two Florida communities with a high or low prevalence of dogs with heartworm infection

Cited by 10 publications

References 22 publications

Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study

Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study

High Rate of Non-Human Feeding by Aedes aegypti Reduces Zika Virus Transmission in South Texas

Detection of Gastrointestinal Parasitism at Recreational Canine Sites in the United States (the DOGPARCS study)

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