The occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in South Australia

Copland,; Mg, O'Callaghan; Hajduk, Petra; O’Donoghue, P. J.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.1992.tb07429.x

Cited by 18 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Canine heartworm has been reported in domestic dogs in Southern Australia and dingoes in the Northern Territories, so the detection of D. immitis antigen was not unexpected [10,11]. It is uncertain and controversial as to whether Lyme borreliosis occurs in Australia [12].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haemoparasites of free-roaming dogs associated with several remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

et al. 2012

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BackgroundTick-borne haemoparasites Babesia vogeli and Anaplasma platys are common among the free-roaming canine populations associated with Aboriginal communities in Australia, whilst the prevalence of haemoplasmas, which are also suspected to be tick-borne, remained unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of haemoplasma infection in these populations, and to identify any correlation with other haemoparasites. Blood was collected from 39 dogs associated with four Aboriginal communities and screened for infection using PCR and serology. DNA was purified and PCR analyses for piroplasms, Anaplasmataceae family bacteria and haemoplasmas performed. Serum was analysed using a commercial haemoparasite ELISA. Prevalence of infection was compared between communities.ResultsSeventeen dogs (44%) were infected (PCR positive) with Mycoplasma haemocanis, eight (21%) with ‘Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum’, 20 (51%) with A. platys, and 17 (44%) with B. vogeli. Two dogs were infected with a novel haemoplasma as determined by DNA amplification and sequencing. Two dogs (5%) were serologically positive for Dirofilaria immitis antigens, one (3%) was positive for Ehrlichia canis antibodies and nine (24nbsp;%) were positive for A. platys antibodies. Co-infections were frequent. Haemoplasma prevalence was highest (73%, 16/22) in Central Australia and lowest (22%, 2/9) in Western Australia (p = 0.017). In contrast, B. vogeli prevalence was low in Central Australia (18%, 4/22) but higher (78%, 7/9) in Western Australia (p = 0.003).ConclusionsThis is the first time haemoplasma infections, including a novel species, have been molecularly documented in Australian dogs. The wide regional variation in prevalence of some of the haemoparasite infections detected in this study warrants further investigation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Haemoparasites of free-roaming dogs associated with several remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

et al. 2012

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“…The prevalence of D. immitis is 1.0% in South Australia [7], 5.5% in Brazil [8], 19.0% in Spain [9], 20.9% in South Korea [10], and 30.8% in South Africa [11]. The prevalence depends on many factors, such as the methods performed and preselection of the samples; therefore, different prevalences for a single country exist.…”

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confidence: 99%

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs in Shenyang, Northeastern China

Liu¹,

Yang

et al. 2013

Korean J Parasitol

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In the present study, we first report the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Shenyang, northeastern China. Sera from 528 randomly selected dogs were examined for D. immitis antigen using SNAP®4Dx test kit; 12.7% tested showed seropositive. No significant difference of infection was observed in different genders and breeds (P>0.05), but the difference was significant in different age groups and rearing conditions (P<0.05). The result suggested that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in dogs is high in Shenyang, and should be given attention.

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“…Similarly, if heartworm is endemic to SA (R ≥ 1) some local infections would occur. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that heartworm is currently endemic to SA, as reported 25 years ago . It is also unlikely that this change in endemic status is the result of prophylactic treatment use alone, as heartworm is regularly introduced to SA and the non‐protected dog population is large enough for local transmission to occur.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent reports have focussed on the prevalence of circulating microfilaria in historically endemic areas, such as Queensland and New South Wales . However, there is no evidence available regarding current prevalence of canine heartworm in South Australia (SA), with the most recent study published in 1992 which reported low level heartworm incidence of 1% . To determine current incidence and prevalence rates of canine heartworm in SA, this study surveyed South Australian veterinary practices regarding canine heartworm cases and veterinary practice protocols for canine heartworm prevention, screening and treatment.…”

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confidence: 99%

Is canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) endemic to South Australia?

2019

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Background Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) was reported as endemic to South Australia over 25 years ago, but the current status of canine heartworm infection in South Australia is unknown. Methods We surveyed South Australian veterinary practices to collect evidence about canine heartworm cases, prevention, screening and treatment practices. Results In total, 141 veterinary practices operating in South Australia (92.3% response rate) completed a 12‐question telephone survey. Five confirmed cases of heartworm and one suspected false‐positive case were reported from separate practices over the 2016–17 financial year. All confirmed cases had recently relocated to South Australia from interstate. Incidence of canine heartworm was estimated at 0.00% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.00–0.0006) and prevalence at 0.002% (95%CI: 0.00–0.004) using conservative estimates of the South Australian dog population. Attitudes and protocols regarding heartworm differed significantly between metropolitan and rural veterinary practices. All metropolitan practices recommend systematic medicated prevention against heartworm, while some rural practices (20.7%) recommend prevention only when travelling interstate (P < 0.001). Conclusion Although there is a minor source of heartworm from introduction of infected dogs into South Australia, there is no evidence that the infection is transmitted to other dogs within the state. Therefore, it is unlikely that heartworm is currently endemic to South Australia as reported in the past. This new evidence provides a strong case to refine current prevention practices to reflect the current negligible risk of heartworm infection within South Australia.

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The occurrence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in South Australia

Cited by 18 publications

References 11 publications

Haemoparasites of free-roaming dogs associated with several remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

Haemoparasites of free-roaming dogs associated with several remote Aboriginal communities in Australia

Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs in Shenyang, Northeastern China

Is canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) endemic to South Australia?

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