Molecular Survey of Dirofilaria and Leishmania Species in Dogs from Central Balkan

Otašević, Suzana; Savić, Sara; Jurhar-Pavlova, Maja; Stefanovska, Jovana; Stalević, Marko; Ignjatović, Aleksandra; Ranđelović, Marina; Gajić, Bojan; Cvetkovikj, Aleksandar; Gabrielli, Simona

doi:10.3390/ani12070911

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…pipiens is related to the presence of irrigated areas, a high density of human population and animals infected by D. immitis and/or D. repens and an increase in humidity. Moreover, if we take into account the wild carnivore population ( 7 , 13 , 24 , 25 , 27 , 79–82 ) and others ( 82 ), our model increases in reliability as studies of Dirofilaria spp. infected animal populations show concentrated positivity, as well as infected domestic dogs, in the north of the country.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080

Rodríguez-Escolar,

Hernández-Lambraño,

Sánchez-Agudo

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Animal and human dirofilariosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease, being one of the most important diseases in Europe. In Serbia, there are extensive studies reporting the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, mainly in the north of the country, where the human population is concentrated and where there is a presence of culicid mosquitoes that transmit the disease. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) has proven to be a very good tool to predict the appearance of parasitosis in very diverse areas, with distant orography and climatologies at a local, continental, and global level. Taking these factors into account, the objective of this study was to develop an environmental model for Serbia that reflects the suitability of the ecological niche for the risk of infection with Dirofilaria spp. with which the predictive power of existing studies is improved. A wide set of variables related to the transmission of the parasite were used. The potential number of generations of D. immitis and the ecological niche modeling method (ENM) were used to estimate the potential distribution of suitable habitats for Culex pipiens. The highest probability of infection risk was located in the north of the country, and the lowest in the southern regions, where there is more orographic relief and less human activity. The model was corroborated with the location of D. immitis-infected dogs, with 89.28% of the country having a high probability of infection. In addition, it was observed that the percentage of territory with optimal habitat for Culex spp. will increase significantly between now and 2080. This new model can be used as a tool in the control and prevention of heartworm disease in Serbia, due to its high predictive power, and will serve to alert veterinary and health personnel of the presence of the disease in the animal and human population, respectively.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080

Rodríguez-Escolar,

Hernández-Lambraño,

Sánchez-Agudo

et al. 2024

Front. Vet. Sci.

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“…However, epidemiological studies from Serbia have shown increased prevalence, with ranges between 12.7 and 33.3% in the north of the country, together with the presence of some microfilaremic dogs [7,[68][69][70][71]. In the Republic of Kosovo, antigens of D. immitis were detected in 14.8% of the dogs tested [72], being the first evidence of infected dogs in this country. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are no previous studies demonstrating the presence of D. immitis in dogs in these countries before 2011 [2].…”

Section: Endemic Areas (■) and Sporadic Cases Reported (■) )mentioning

confidence: 91%

What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?

et al. 2022

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Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects canids and felids, both domestic and wild, throughout the world. It is a chronic disease which causes vascular damage in pulmonary arteries, and in advanced stages, the presence of pulmonary hypertension and right-sided congestive heart failure can be evidenced. Moreover, pulmonary thromboembolism is caused by the death of the worms, which can be lethal for the infected animal. Furthermore, it is the causative agent of human pulmonary dirofilariosis, being a zoonotic disease. The aim of this review was to update the current epidemiological situation of heartworm in Europe in dogs, cats, wild animals, and vectors insects, and to analyse the factors that may have contributed to the continuous spread of the disease in the last decade (2012–2021). In Europe, the disease has extended to eastern countries, being currently endemic in countries where previously only isolated or imported cases were reported. Furthermore, its prevalence has continued to increase in southern countries, traditionally endemic. This distribution trends and changes are influenced by several factors which are discussed in this review, such as the climate changes, presence of vectors in new areas, the appearance of new competent vector species in the continent, increased movement of pets that travelled to or originated from endemic countries, the urbanisation of rural areas leading to the formation of so-called “heat islands”, or the creation of extensive areas of irrigated crops. The continuous expansion of D. immitis must be monitored, and measures adapted to the situation of each country must be carried out for adequate control.

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“…In conclusion, we report a case of D. repens microfilaremia in a professional soldier frequently exposed to vector biting because of prolonged outdoor activities during military training in northern Serbia, a dirofilariasis-endemic area ( 10 ). The presence of circulating microfilariae highlighted by this and previous studies shows the parasite’s progressive adaptation to humans and suggests a potential role for humans as a definitive D. repens host.…”

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confidence: 89%

Microfilaremic Dirofilaria repens Infection in Patient from Serbia

Tasić-Otasevic,

Golubović,

Trichei

et al. 2023

Emerg. Infect. Dis.

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We report a case of Dirofilaria repens infection causing microfilaremia in a patient from Serbia. Serum samples tested positive for D . repens IgG by ELISA. Our findings and those of others suggest the parasite's progressive adaptation to humans. Clinicians should be aware that microfilaremia can develop during Dirofilaria spp. infections.

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Molecular Survey of Dirofilaria and Leishmania Species in Dogs from Central Balkan

Cited by 10 publications

References 38 publications

Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080

Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080

What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?

Microfilaremic Dirofilaria repens Infection in Patient from Serbia

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