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potential efficacy of monthly administrations of spot-on moxidectin 2.5%/imidacloprid 10% in the simultaneous prevention of major canine filarioses.dirofilaria immitis, dirofilaria repens, and acanthocheilonema reconditum are the most important canine filariae. these species are expanding their distribution in both endemic regions and in previously free areas, thus enhancing the risk for single and mixed infestations in both dogs and humans. the present study evaluated the potential use of moxidectin in a spot-on formulation in preventing these dog filarioses in a confined area where the three major canine filariae live in sympatry. the tri ...201323925446
serological detection of circulating angiostrongylus vasorum antigen and specific antibodies in dogs from central and northern italy.the most frequently employed method for the diagnosis of angiostrongylus vasorum in dogs is the detection of first stage larvae (l1) in faeces. the sensitivity of coproscopy, however, is limited in case of low parasite load, intermittent larval excretion, and during pre-patency. an epidemiological survey on dogs was conducted applying serological methods in two italian regions where angiostrongylosis is endemic in foxes. 265 dog serum samples from tuscany (central italy - site a) and 447 from li ...201323182301
prevalence of borreliosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and dirofilaria immitis in dogs and vectors in voronezh reserve (russia).most of the dogs studied for the prevalence of cvbd have previously received acaricidal and insecticidal treatments. in the present work, a very specific population of dogs (group 1) that had never been treated against ticks and mosquitoes was studied. moreover, the territory occupied by this population has also never been treated, because it is a protected area--voronezh natural reserve. canine patients from veterinary clinics (group 2) that had been treated against vbd vectors were studied for ...201324054985
vector-borne disease surveillance in puerto rico: pathogen prevalence rates in canines ? implications for public health and the u.s. military ? applying the one health concept.vector-borne diseases (vbds) make up a large number of emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases. vectors such as ticks, fleas, and mosquitoes parasitize dogs, thus making canine populations adequate reservoirs for infectious disease and zoonoses. the u.s. military deploys its personnel and military working dogs (mwds) throughout the world with possible risk of exposure to vbds. canine vbds continue to have veterinary and public health significance for the host nations as well as for deployed u. ...201323817880
dirofilariosis in the americas: a more virulent dirofilaria immitis?dirofilarioses are widespread diseases caused by filarioid nematodes (superfamily filarioidea) of the genus dirofilaria, which are transmitted by a plethora of mosquito species. the principal agent of canine dirofilariosis in the americas is dirofilaria immitis, which may also occasionally infest humans, resulting in pulmonary nodules that may be confounded with malignant lung tumours. because human cases of dirofilariosis by d. immitis are relatively frequent in the americas and rare in europe ...201324274042
development of an in vitro bioassay for measuring susceptibility to macrocyclic lactone anthelmintics in dirofilaria immitis.for more than 20 years, anthelmintics of the macrocyclic lactone (ml) drug class have been widely and effectively used as preventives against the canine heartworm, dirofilaria immitis. however, in recent years an increased number of lack of efficacy (loe) cases are being reported, in which dogs develop mature heartworm infections despite receiving monthly prophylactic doses of ml drugs. while this situation is raising concerns that heartworms may be developing resistance to mls, compelling evide ...201324533299
risk of canine and human exposure to dirofilaria immitis infected mosquitoes in endemic areas of italy.the occurrence of infections by dirofilaria immitis in canine and human populations depends on several factors linked to both the definitive and intermediate hosts. little data are available on the risk of human and dog exposure to d. immitis in endemic areas. data collected on dog- and human-bait traps in endemic areas of north-eastern italy were used to estimate the likelihood of a receptive host coming into contact with an infected vector.201323510597
vector-borne helminths of dogs and humans in europe.presently, 45% of the total human population of europe, as well as their domestic and companion animals, are exposed to the risk of vector-borne helminths (vbh) causing diseases. a plethora of intrinsic biological and extrinsic factors affect the relationship among helminths, vectors and animal hosts, in a constantly changing environment. although canine dirofilarioses by dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens are key examples of the success of vbh spreading into non-endemic areas, another e ...201323324440
rapid detection and identification of wuchereria bancrofti, brugia malayi, b. pahangi, and dirofilaria immitis in mosquito vectors and blood samples by high resolution melting real-time pcr.a simple, rapid, and high-throughput method for detection and identification of wuchereria bancrofti, brugia malayi, brugia pahangi, and dirofilaria immitis in mosquito vectors and blood samples was developed using a real-time pcr combined with high-resolution melting (hrm) analysis. amplicons of the 4 filarial species were generated from 5s rrna and spliced leader sequences by the real-time pcr and their melting temperatures were determined by the hrm method. melting of amplicons from w. bancro ...201324516268
dirofilaria repens microfilariae in aedes vexans mosquitoes in slovakia.in this study, we screened field-caught mosquitoes for presence of dirofilaria spp. by using a polymerase chain reaction (pcr) assay. potential occurrence of dirofilaria repens and dirofilaria immitis microfilariae was examined in 3,600 mosquitoes of eight species (aedes vexans, aedes cinereus, aedes rossicus, culex pipiens, culiseta annulata, ochlerotatus sticticus, ochlerotatus cantans and ochlerotatus caspius) collected from five locations in two districts (kosice and trebisov) of eastern slo ...201323846240
first report of dirofilaria immitis in the republic of cape verde.in maio island, republic of cape verde, a seven-year old mongrel female dog exhibiting severe generalized adenomegaly and a poor body condition was examined during an animal welfare campaign. a blood smear was drawn from peripheral blood collection and several organisms consistent with dirofilaria immitis microfilariae were identified. both the antigen test conducted from plasma and the rt-pcr test performed from the blood smear sample were positive for d. immitis. this is, to the best of our kn ...201323089147
a possible port of entry into the eye of dog during erratic canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) parasitism.a dog was suspected of suffering from ectopic dirofilaria immitis infection, because a large white nematode worm was detected in the anterior chamber of the left eye. a cylinder-shaped fibrin sac in the anterior chamber was found in the eye of the dog by slit lamp microscopy. after successful surgical removal of the worm, the corneal wound produced by the keratotomy healed in a short period. the worm was estimated to be extremely young, 5th-stage-immature male d. immitis, equivalent to a 90-120- ...201323064450
d-dimer deposits in lungs and kidneys suggest its use as a marker in the clinical workup of dogs with heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) disease.it has been reported that dogs with heartworm disease (dirofilaria immitis) show increased plasma levels of d-dimer, a fibrin degradation product present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. in the present study the authors show that, in dogs with both experimental and natural infections with d. immitis, d-dimer deposits in lungs and kidneys are associated with pulmonary thromboembolism and microfilariemic status, as well as there was a clear association between increased ...201322963711
evidences of increasing risk of dirofilarioses in southern italy.given the spread of aedes albopictus from northern to southern italy, and the lack of updated data on dirofilaria infections, this study was carried out to assess the infection risk for dogs and cats in apulia region. during a 2-year study, 175 a. albopictus female specimens and samples of blood from 427 dogs (309 privately owned dogs and 118 shelter dogs) and 12 cats were collected. all blood samples were subjected to a modified knott method, to a test for the detection of circulating dirofilar ...201323224639
subcutaneous infection with dirofilaria spp. nematode in human, france. 201324188526
detection of dirofilaria immitis in mid-western arid argentina.dirofilariosis, caused by dirofilaria immitis and d. repens, is (re-) emerging worldwide. dogs are the main reservoirs, while human infection has recently become an important focus of interest and attention. in argentina, canine d. immitis infection has been described in eastern and northern subtropical and temperate humid regions, but never reported in mid-western arid regions so far. in this research note we report for the first time the occurrence of autochthonous human and canine d. immitis ...201324338328
a case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis in a 48-year-old korean man.dirofilariasis is a rare disease in humans. we report here a case of a 48-year-old male who was diagnosed with pulmonary dirofilariasis in korea. on chest radiographs, a coin lesion of 1 cm in diameter was shown. although it looked like a benign inflammatory nodule, malignancy could not be excluded. so, the nodule was resected by video-assisted thoracic surgery. pathologically, chronic granulomatous inflammation composed of coagulation necrosis with rim of fibrous tissues and granulations was se ...201324327784
nematode infection mimicking paratesticular malignancy.paratesticular swellings pose a diagnostic dilemma due to concerns over malignancy. we present a case of paratesticular swelling in a 13-year-old boy as a result of dirofilaria immitis infection. the boy presented with a 2-month history of right testicular discomfort associated with an irregular mass within the scrotum.201324326431
analysis of climate and extrinsic incubation of dirofilaria immitis in southern south america.dirofilariosis, caused by dirofilaria immitis and d. repens, is spreading in several geographic regions. the development of infective larvae in the mosquito vector (extrinsic incubation) needs an accumulated total of 130 degree-days above the 14 °c threshold, normally expressed as heartworm development units (hdus). based on this information, temperature- based models have been developed and applied to evaluate the distribution and spread of dirofilaria infections in various countries and contin ...201324258893
human pulmonary dirofilariasis coexisting with intercostal neurilemmoma: a case report and literature review.human pulmonary dirofilariasis (hpd) is a rare zoonotic infection caused by dirofilaria immitis. dogs are the definite hosts and humans are infected occasionally via a vector, generally a mosquito. most thoracic neurilemmoma arise in the mediastinum and fewer tumors originate peripherally from the intercostal nerves. most patients with hpd or thoracic neurilemmoma are asymptomatic and these diseases are often discovered incidentally. we present a 53-year-old female who was found to have a pulmon ...201324080016
prevalence of dirofilaria immitis in dogs in shenyang, northeastern china.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 ...201323864752
epidural dirofilariosis in a paraparetic cat: case report of dirofilaria immitis infection.a 6-year-old neutered female cat was examined for chronic and progressive pelvic limb ataxia that progressed to non-ambulatory paraparesis over 1 month. haematological and serum analyses were mainly within normal ranges. thoracic and abdominal radiographs did not reveal any morphological abnormalities. magnetic resonance imaging investigation of the thoraco-lumbar spine demonstrated a well-defined, extradural mass that extended into the epidural space from the l2 to l3 vertebral bodies and expan ...201323792333
utility of cardiac biomarkers during adulticide treatment of heartworm disease (dirofilaria immitis) in dogs.heartworm disease (dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic disease of dogs and other carnivores, characterized by the presence of adult worms in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle, leading to pulmonary hypertension which may progress to congestive heart failure. cardiac biomarkers are biological parameters that can be objectively measured as indicators of pathological processes, or to assess the response to therapeutic interventions. to evaluate the myocardial damage during the adulticide tr ...201323759483
tidal breathing flow volume loop analysis of 21 healthy, unsedated, young adult male beagle dogs.reference values for dogs regarding tidal breathing flow volume loop (tbfvl) parameters are scarce in the veterinary literature, so each new study requires a healthy reference population to be studied simultaneously with the diseased one.201323718791
microscopy and serological assessment for heartworm infection in cats in makati, philippines showing clinical signs of dirofilariosis.the sole published data on feline heartworm infection in the philippines was reported four decades ago. the study therefore endeavoured to assess and provide an update on the current status of heartworm infection in domesticated feline species using serologic and parasitological examination methods.201323682260
are vector-borne pathogen co-infections complicating the clinical presentation in dogs?infection by two or more canine vector-borne disease (cvbd)-causing pathogens is common in subtropical and tropical regions where vectors are plentiful. co-infections may potentiate disease pathogenesis, thereby altering clinical manifestations typically associated with singular infections. these factors complicate diagnosis, treatment and can adversely influence prognosis if the practitioner fails to suspect, document, and treat each concurrent infection. the spectrum of pathogens co-infecting ...201323587324
an interesting case of a subcutaneous nodule.human dirofilariasis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by the filarial nematodes, dirofilaria repens and dirofilaria immitis. dirofilariae are transmitted to humans via mosquito bites. human dirofilariasis presents commonly as subcutaneous nodules, pulmonary nodules or nodules in the eyes. they are considered as emerging pathogens. we are presenting a case of human dirofilariasis from karnataka, which was caused by dirofilaria repens.201323543386
surface associated antigens of dirofilaria immitis adult worms activate the host fibrinolytic system.cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis (dirofilaria immitis) is characterized by apparent contradictory events, like the long-term survival of adult worms in the circulatory system of the infected hosts and the development of life-threatening events like thromboembolisms and others. thus parasite mechanisms, like the activation of fibrinolytic system, are key to the survival of both the worms and the host. the aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between d. immitis adult worms surface-as ...201323433649
is wolbachia participating in the bronchial reactivity of cats with heartworm associated respiratory disease?heartworm associated respiratory disease is a pulmonary syndrome in cats that results from the vascular and parenchymal inflammatory response associated with the arrival and death of dirofilaria immitis worms into the distal pulmonary arteries. this parasite harbors intracellular wolbachia, an endosymbiont bacteria. the association between the parasite and the bacteria is obligatory. some studies suggest the involvement of wolbachia in the development of the inflammatory reaction and in the pola ...201323433646
wolbachia, filariae and leishmania coinfection in dogs from a mediterranean area.in an endemic area for leishmaniosis and filariasis, coinfection can occur and the immunomodulation triggered by wolbachia infection might influence the clinical signs and progression of both diseases. the aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of wolbachia in dogs infected with dirofilaria immitis and other filarial nematodes, to evaluate the prevalence of coinfection of leishmania infantum, filariae and wolbachia and their association with clinical presentation.201323425244
nodular lesions due to infestation by dirofilaria repens in dogs from italy.canine subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by dirofilaria repens is an important cause of human dirofilariosis in the old world.201323413808
variation of d-dimer values as assessment of pulmonary thromboembolism during adulticide treatment of heartworm disease in dogs.dirofilaria immitis adult worms lodged in the pulmonary arteries are the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by endarteritis and obstruction of the blood flow. dying worms form embolic fragments which trigger thrombosis. thus, pulmonary thromboembolism is an inevitable consequence of successful adulticide therapy. clinical signs of pulmonary thromboembolisms are highly variable and non-specific, and its diagnosis is often difficult to obtain. the d-dimer assay is considered the m ...201323384581
mitochondrial genome of the eyeworm, thelazia callipaeda (nematoda: spirurida), as the first representative from the family thelaziidae.human thelaziosis is an underestimated parasitic disease caused by thelazia species (spirurida: thelaziidae). the oriental eyeworm, thelazia callipaeda, infects a range of mammalian definitive hosts, including canids, felids and humans. although this zoonotic parasite is of socio-economic significance in asian countries, its genetics, epidemiology and biology are poorly understood. mitochondrial (mt) dna is known to provide useful genetic markers to underpin fundamental investigations, but no mt ...201323383353
indigenous dirofilaria immitis in bangladesh.dirofilaria immitis is a parasite of domestic and wild canids and felids in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world. the canine heartworm (d. immitis) is the causative agent of canine and feline cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis. this parasite is known to cause a zoonotic disease, namely human pulmonary dirofilariasis. d. immitis is known to be endemic in several south and southeast asian countries (e.g. india and malaysia), but there has previously been no information abou ...201323358737
dynamic upper airway obstruction secondary to severe feline asthma.a 2 yr old castrated male cat presented to an emergency referral facility for several episodes of gagging, nonproductive coughing, and increased respiratory effort. he was diagnosed with inspiratory stridor and referred to another emergency referral practice for further diagnostics. three separate, sedated oral examinations, nasal computed tomography (ct), rhinoscopic biopsies, and tracheoscopy showed no structural causes for the cat's stridor. an endotracheal wash was consistent with feline ast ...201323325598
subcutaneous infection with dirofilaria immitis nematode in human, france. 201323260094
prevalence of dirofilaria immitis (spirurida: onchocercidae) infection in aedes, culex, and culiseta mosquitoes from north san joaquin valley, ca.canine heartworm is one of the most serious infections primarily affecting domestic dogs but will also infect cats and wild canids. to evaluate the potential of mosquitoes as vectors of dog heartworm, dirofilaria immitis (leidy) in san joaquin county, ca, we collected mosquitoes in 2011 and analyzed for infection with heartworm by using polymerase chain reaction. of 3,000 mosquito pools (total number of specimens = 36,554), d. immitis dna was detected in 97 pools of seven species, and the overal ...201324843938
[cloning and prokaryotic expression of casein kinase ii subunit beta gene fragment of dirofilaria immitis].to clone and express the partial fragment of csnk2b gene of dirofilaria immitis in prokaryotic cells, and analyze the immunoreactivity.201324812880
differentiation of the microfilariae of dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens in stained blood films.an examination was made of giemsa-stained microfilariae in thin blood films from (n = 9) dogs naturally or experimentally infected with dirofilaria immitis or dirofilaria repens. morphological measurements (total length, length of cephalic space, anterior end to nerve ring and last body nucleus, and nucleus-free tail tip) were made on 2-6 microfilariae from each dog with the use of digitally captured images and imaging software. the microfilariae of d. repens were significantly greater (p < 0.00 ...201323146115
[use of dironet for prophylaxis in dirofilaria immitis-infested working dogs in the astrakhan region]. 201322308714
where are we with wolbachia and doxycycline: an in-depth review of the current state of our knowledge.dirofilaria immitis, the cause of canine and feline heartworm disease, was the first filarial nematode described to harbour the bacterial endosymbiont wolbachia. this ground-breaking discovery has led to intense research aimed at unravelling the nature of the endosymbiotic relationship; genomic studies have revealed how the bacteria may interact with the parasite and help explain why each is so dependent on the other. analysis of the immune response to these bacteria may elucidate the mechanisms ...201424813786
dirofilaria immitis: an emerging parasite in dogs, red foxes and golden jackals in hungary.hungary was not considered to be a heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) endemic country until 2007, when the first autochthonous canine infection was described. herein we report additional autochthonous heartworm infections in two dogs (canis familiaris), twenty red foxes (vulpes vulpes) (n=534; prevalence: 3.7%; 95% ci=2.4-5.7%) and two golden jackals (canis aureus) (n=27; prevalence: 7.4%; 95% ci=2.1-23.4%) coming from eight counties. the identification of the parasite was based on morphology, morp ...201424810374
increased prevalence of dirofilaria immitis antigen in canine samples after heat treatment.canine serum samples may contain factors that prevent detection of antigen of dirofilaria immitis on commercial assays, precluding accurate diagnosis. to determine the degree to which the presence of blocking antibodies or other inhibitors of antigen detection may interfere with our ability to detect circulating antigen in canine samples, archived plasma and serum samples (n=165) collected from dogs in animal shelters were tested for d. immitis antigen before and after heat treatment. negative s ...201424785291
canine heartworm disease (dirofilaria immitis) in western europe: survey of veterinary awareness and perceptions.this survey examines the experience and opinion of veterinarians with canine heartworm (hw; dirofilaria immitis) infection in non-endemic and endemic areas of europe.201424779376
first records of armigeres malayi and armigeres milnensis in timor-leste.larval armigeres malayi and larval ar. milnensis were first collected from rainwater-filled broken coconut shells in the district of manufahi, subdistrict same, in southwest timor-leste in september 2010. in subsequent surveys, ar. malayi and ar. milnensis were frequently observed in water-filled coconut shells either as the sole culicid species, or coexisting with each other, or with larval aedes albopictus or culex spp. although there have been a number of published surveys of culicidae in tim ...201424772677
animal shelters: managing heartworms in resource-scarce environments.animal shelters must frequently make difficult decisions regarding the allocation of limited resources to appropriately care for the millions of dogs and cats that enter their doors annually. insufficient staffing, expertise, and guidance on heartworm management in animal shelters creates significant confusion on how these facilities should appropriately address heartworm infection in dogs and cats. the american heartworm society (ahs) issues comprehensive guidelines for the diagnosis, preventio ...201424731382
efficacy of a single dose of a novel topical combination product containing eprinomectin to prevent heartworm infection in cats.cats may be infected by heartworm, dirofilaria immitis, through mosquito bites. they can develop severe heartworm disease when infective d. immitis larvae migrate and develop into adults in the pulmonary vasculature or other tissues. as there is no curative treatment for feline heartworm infection, the monthly administration of preventative treatment is recommended in endemic areas. three controlled, blinded laboratory studies were conducted to evaluate the preventative efficacy of broadline(®), ...201424703077
intraspecific genetic variation and phylogenetic analysis of dirofilaria immitis samples from western china using complete nd1 and 16s rdna gene sequences.dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) is the causative agent of an important zoonotic disease that is spread by mosquitoes. in this study, molecular and phylogenetic characterization of d. immitis were performed based on complete nd1 and 16s rdna gene sequences, which provided the foundation for more advanced molecular diagnosis, prevention, and control of heartworm diseases. the mutation rate and evolutionary divergence in adult heartworm samples from seven dogs in western china were analyzed to obta ...201424639299
expression of translationally controlled tumor protein (tctp) gene of dirofilaria immitis guided by transcriptomic screening.dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) infections affect domestic dogs, cats, and various wild mammals with increasing incidence in temperate and tropical areas. more sensitive antibody detection methodologies are required to diagnose asymptomatic dirofilariasis with low worm burdens. applying current transcriptomic technologies would be useful to discover potential diagnostic markers for d. immitis infection. a filarial homologue of the mammalian translationally controlled tumor protein (tctp) was ini ...201424623877
proteomic analysis of the somatic and surface compartments from dirofilaria immitis adult worms.dirofilaria immitis (hearthworm) is a filarial roundworm transmitted by mosquitoes to different vertebrate hosts (dogs, cats and humans, among others), causing dirofilariosis. the adult worms reside in the pulmonary arteries affecting vessels and tissues and resulting in different pathological manifestations. worms migrate to the heart and surrounding major vessels in heavy infections. dirofilariosis can result in serious damage to affected hosts. in the last few years, a re-emergence of the dis ...201424602330
ivermectin-dependent attachment of neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells to dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in vitro.the macrocyclic lactones are the only anthelmintics used to prevent heartworm disease, but it is very difficult to reproduce their in vivo efficacy against dirofilaria immitis larvae in experiments in vitro. these assays typically measure motility, suggesting that paralysis is not the mode of action of the macrocyclic lactones against d. immitis. we isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (pbmc) and neutrophils from uninfected dogs and measured their adherence to d. immitis microfilariae in ...201424594213
identification of avian malaria (plasmodium sp.) and canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) in the mosquitoes of tennessee.plasmodium reticulum, the causative agent for avian malaria (a protozoan), and dirofilaria immitis, the causative agent for canine heartworm (a filarial nematode), are 2 obligate parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. the objective of this project was to identify whether either parasite was present in tennessee mosquitoes and to illustrate the need for collecting spatial and temporal vector-parasite data. during 2012, mosquitoes were collected from the east tennessee research and education center ...201424588536
prevalence of dirofilaria immitis among shelter dogs in tokyo, japan, after a decade: comparison of 1999-2001 and 2009-2011.changes in the seroprevalence of dirofilaria immitis infection among shelter dogs between a decade ago and the present were evaluated. serum samples were collected from 200 adult dogs in urban and suburban areas in tokyo, japan, during two 2-year periods (april 1999 to march 2001 and april 2009 to march 2011). sera were tested for the presence of d. immitis antigen using a specific commercialized kit. the seroprevalence of d. immitis infection was 46% in 1999-2001 and 23% in 2009-2011. a decreas ...201424581552
pre-treatment with heat facilitates detection of antigen of dirofilaria immitis in canine samples.diagnosis of dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs is largely dependent on detection of antigen in canine serum, plasma, or whole blood, but antigen may be bound in immune complexes and thus not detected. to develop a model for antigen blocking, we mixed serum from a microfilaremic, antigen-positive dog with that of a hypergammaglobulinemic dog not currently infected with d. immitis and converted the positive sample to antigen-negative; detection of antigen was restored when the mixed sample was ...201424576603
case report of dirofilariasis in grey wolf in serbia.this paper describes a case of dirofilariasis in a two-year old, female grey wolf (canis lupus lupus). the autopsy revealed the presence of 42 adult forms of dirofilaria immitis in the pulmonary artery, right ventricle and right atrium, varying in length from 9.5 to 30 cm. this is, to the best of our knowledge, the second report of d. immitis in grey wolves in serbia. our finding confirms that the wolf, as a subspecies distinct from the dog, should also be considered as a very suitable definitiv ...201426204038
some aspects of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of human dirofilariasis caused by dirofilaria repens.in recent years, zoonotic filariae dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria (nochtiella) repens are gaining popularity as incidental human parasitic pathogens. the usual hosts for these nematodes are domestic and wild carnivorous animals. the medical significance of human dirofilariasis is due to frequent misdiagnosis as malignancy and in many cases diagnosis is made after invasive surgical procedures. the aim of this study was to ascertain the geographical distribution and clinical manifestations of ...201424556844
canine heartworm disease in porto velho: first record, distribution map and occurrence of positive mosquitoes.the aim of this study was to make the first report on canine heartworm disease in the state of rondônia and confirm its transmission in this state. blood samples were randomly collected from 727 dogs in the city of porto velho. the samples were analyzed to search for microfilariae and circulating antigens, using three different techniques: optical microscopy on thick blood smears stained with giemsa; immunochromatography; and pcr. mosquitoes were collected inside and outside the homes of all the ...201424473882
identification of dirofilaria immitis proteins recognized by antibodies from infected dogs.the identification of excreted-secreted (es) proteins of filarial nematodes as potential diagnostic reagents is an important requirement for the development of methods to determine level of infection in the host, especially for human filariae. dirofilaria immitis, the canine heartworm, is a widespread and important veterinary pathogen and is a useful model for filarial parasites of humans. an analysis of proteins released from adult d. immitis (the secretome) in culture is available. we sought t ...201424471923
geo-environmental model for the prediction of potential transmission risk of dirofilaria in an area with dry climate and extensive irrigated crops. the case of spain.zoonotic filarioses caused by dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens are transmitted by culicid mosquitoes. therefore dirofilaria transmission depends on climatic factors like temperature and humidity. in spite of the dry climate of most of the spanish territory, there are extensive irrigated crops areas providing moist habitats favourable for mosquito breeding. a gis model to predict the risk of dirofilaria transmission in spain, based on temperatures and rainfall data as well as in the dis ...201424456900
rapid differentiation of dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens in canine peripheral blood by real-time pcr coupled to high resolution melting analysis.dirofilaria immitis and d. repens are the principal causative agents of canine filariosis and, although the number of dogs subjected to specific prevention is increasing, the prevalence of these parasites remains high in many areas of the world. the discrimination between the two dirofilaria species using the classical diagnostic methods can be difficult and may lead to misdiagnosis especially on samples from areas where both dirofilaria are present. over the last years, several molecular method ...201424360646
prevalence and seasonal variations of canine dirofilariosis in portugal.dirofilariosis is a severe vector-borne emergent disease that is spreading worldwide and becoming a serious threat to human and veterinary public health. portugal, a mediterranean country, has favorable climate conditions for mosquito development and survival. at present, accurate data on the prevalence and epidemiological pattern of dirofilariosis in portugal is scarce and outdated. to study these trends, a project was developed to assess the current prevalence of dirofilaria immitis infection ...201425440945
safety and efficacy of 10% imidacloprid+2.5% moxidectin for the treatment of dirofilaria immitis circulating microfilariae in experimentally infected dogs.a controlled laboratory study was conducted to establish the safety and efficacy of 10% imidacloprid+2.5% moxidectin topical solution (advantage multi® for dogs, bayer healthcare, shawnee, ks) for the treatment of circulating dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in dogs. twenty beagles were experimentally infected with d. immitis via surgical implantation of 10 pairs of adult worms (pepper strain, trs labs) from donor dogs on day -82. between days -7 and -1, physical examinations were performed, ch ...201425444277
heartworm 'lack of effectiveness' claims in the mississippi delta: computerized analysis of owner compliance--2004-2011.a retrospective medical record review was conducted to identify factors from veterinary clinic medical records that may have contributed to suspected ineffectiveness of a heartworm preventive product. patient records of 271 dogs, comprising 301 instances of positive heartworm antigen test results while the dogs were receiving heartworm preventive were evaluated. nineteen veterinary practices in 17 counties and parishes in arkansas, louisiana, mississippi, and tennessee participated in the study. ...201425440944
updated canine infection rates for dirofilaria immitis in areas of brazil previously identified as having a high incidence of heartworm-infected dogs.canine heartworm infections were frequently diagnosed in brazil before the new millennium. after the year 2000, the frequency of diagnosis showed a sharp decline; however, a few years later, new evidence indicated that the parasite was still present and that canine infection rates seemed to be increasing. therefore, an updated survey of canine heartworm prevalence was conducted in several locations in south, southeast, and northeast brazil.201425376238
safety of concurrent treatment of dogs with fluralaner (bravecto™) and milbemycin oxime-praziquantel.fluralaner (bravecto™; merck/msd animal health) is a novel systemic ectoparasiticide for dogs providing long-acting flea and tick control after a single oral dose. milbemycin oxime and praziquantel are routinely used to control dirofilaria immitis and intestinal worm infections in dogs. the safety of concurrent use of fluralaner and a commercially available milbemycin oxime plus praziquantel combination tablet, in particular with regard to gastrointestinal symptoms, was investigated using oral d ...201425315498
effect of pre-cardiac and adult stages of dirofilaria immitis in pulmonary disease of cats: cbc, bronchial lavage cytology, serology, radiographs, ct images, bronchial reactivity, and histopathology.a controlled, blind study was conducted to define the initial inflammatory response and lung damage associated with the death of precardiac stages of dirofilaria immitis in cats as compared to adult heartworm infections and normal cats. three groups of six cats each were used: uu: uninfected untreated controls; pres i: infected with 100 d. immitis l3 by subcutaneous injection and treated topically with selamectin 32 and 2 days pre-infection and once monthly for 8 months); iu: infected with 100 d ...201425288308
retrospective study of canine heartworm disease with caval syndrome in grenada, west indies.canine heartworm disease caused by dirofilaria immitis is an important disease of dogs. the aim of this retrospective study was to estimate the prevalence of canine heartworm disease and evaluate cases of caval syndrome in dogs submitted for necropsy in grenada. out of 1617 dogs necropsied over a period of 13 years (2001-2013), 249 were found to be infected with d. immitis; giving an overall prevalence of 15.4% (95% confidence interval, 13.6% to 17.1%). there was no significant difference betwee ...201425280391
prevalence of dirofilaria immitis infection in stray cats by nested pcr in korea.the purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of dirofilaria immitis infection among stray cats in korea using nested pcr. we included 235 stray cats (121 females and 114 males) and evaluated each for the presence of feline heartworm infection. blood samples were collected from 135 cats in daejeon, 50 cats in seoul, and 50 cats from gyeonggi-do (province). of the 235 dna samples, 14 (6.0%) were positive for d. immitis. the prevalence of infection in male cats (8/114, 7.0%) tended to be highe ...201425548424
the prevalence and distribution of dirofilaria repens in dogs in the mazovian province of central-eastern poland.the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of canine dirofilariosis from different districts of the mazovian province in central-eastern poland. 462 dogs aged from 1.5-14 years were examined for dirofilariosis. blood samples were examined for the presence of microfilariae using the knott method, as well as the method of kingston and morton, after centrifugation in haematocrit microtubes in order to determine the intensity of infection as the number of microfilariae in ...201425528905
loa loa and onchocerca ochengi mirnas detected in host circulation.a combination of deep-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis enabled identification of twenty-two microrna candidates of potential nematode origin in plasma from loa loa-infected baboons and a further ten from the plasma of an onchocerca ochengi-infected cow. the obtained data were compared to results from previous work on mirna candidates from dirofilaria immitis and o. volvulus found in host circulating blood, to examine the species specificity of the released mirna. none of the mirna candidat ...201425461483
effects of doxycycline on heartworm embryogenesis, transmission, circulating microfilaria, and adult worms in microfilaremic dogs.tetracycline treatment of animals or humans infected with filariae that harbor wolbachia endosymbionts blocks further embryogenesis, and existing microfilariae gradually die. this treatment also kills developing larvae and has a slow-kill effect on adult filariae, all presumably due to elimination of the wolbachia. also, dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in blood collected from dogs up to 25 days after the last dose of doxycycline developed to infective l3 that were normal in appearance and moti ...201425458121
effects of intravenous and subcutaneous heartworm homogenate from doxycycline-treated and untreated donor dogs on bronchial reactivity and lung in cats.a controlled, blind research study was conducted to define the innate response of lungs in specific pathogen free (spf) cats to intravenous (n=10) or subcutaneous (n=4) administration of homogenate of adult dirofilaria immitis from donor dogs compared with lung response in control cats (n=6). there was no difference in cats that received heartworm homogenate iv for 18 days from donor dogs treated with doxycycline for 1 month compared with cats given heartworm homogenate from untreated donor dogs ...201425458120
seroprevalence of feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus and heartworm infection among owned cats in tropical mexico.several infectious agents may be distributed within a healthy population of cats where diverse risk factors predispose them to come into contact with pathogens. blood samples from 227 owned cats in merida, mexico, were collected with the objective of determining the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of feline leukemia virus (felv) and dirofilaria immitis antigen, and feline immunodeficiency virus (fiv) antibody. serological detection of felv and d immitis antigens, and fiv antibodies wa ...201424196568
live dirofilaria immitis found during coronary artery bypass grafting procedure.dirofilaria immitis is a parasite transmitted by mosquito bites, where the most common primary hosts are dogs, cats and some wild animals. humans become accidental hosts after being bitten by an infected mosquito and the number of such infections has rapidly increased during the last decade. we present a patient in which a live d. immitis has been found during myocardial revascularization. to the best of our knowledge, live d. immitis found in the substernal area during open heart surgery has ne ...201424135957
cardiopulmonary and inflammatory biomarkers in the assessment of the severity of canine dirofilariosis.the prognosis and success of adulticide treatment depends on the baseline severity of infection with dirofilaria immitis in dogs and can influence the therapeutic protocol to choose. a study was conducted to assess the utility of the cardiopulmonary biomarkers n-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (nt-probnp), cardiac troponin i (ctni), myoglobin, and d-dimer, as well as the biomarker of inflammation c-reactive protein (crp) to evaluate the severity of canine heartworm disease i ...201425224789
evaluation of cardiopulmonary biomarkers during classic adulticide treatment versus the american heartworm society recommended treatment protocol in dogs infected by dirofilaria immitis.adulticide treatment of dogs with canine heartworm disease causes the death of the adult dirofilaria immitis lodged in the vascular system of the host. during the death of the worms, pulmonary thromboembolisms (pte), pulmonary inflammation, congestive heart failure, or renal disease are possible consequences. the aim of this study was to evaluate cardiopulmonary biomarkers and renal parameters during adulticide treatment of canine heartworm to compare the classic two-injection treatment protocol ...201425224786
evaluation of c-reactive protein as a clinical biomarker in naturally heartworm-infected dogs: a field study.canine heartworm disease caused by dirofilaria immitis is considered a pulmonary disease, which leads to pulmonary hypertension, and in the late stage, may induce right cardiac insufficiency. adult worms are localized in the pulmonary arteries, which undergo endothelial damage (proliferative endoarteritis), the severity of which depends on the duration of infection and the worm burden. c-reactive protein (crp) is a major canine acute-phase protein that rapidly increases in a wide range of inflam ...201425218887
experimental dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs: effects of doxycycline and advantage multi® administration on immature adult parasites.to better understand the efficacy of doxycycline and 10% imidacloprid+2.5% moxidectin (advantage multi(®); bayer animal health, shawnee mission, kansas) on immature adult dirofilaria immitis parasites and the results of antigen tests, 12 healthy, randomly selected dogs were experimentally infected with d. immitis and monitored for 407 days. two dogs in each of three subgroups of four dogs were each infected with six (total of 6 dogs) or 12 (total of 6 dogs) d. immitis infective third-stage larva ...201425218886
right pulmonary artery distensibility index (rpad index). a field study of an echocardiographic method to detect early development of pulmonary hypertension and its severity even in the absence of regurgitant jets for doppler evaluation in heartworm-infected dogs.despite the term "heartworm disease" dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs should be considered a pulmonary arterial disease that might only involve the right heart structures in its late stage. chronic infection by adult heartworms in dogs results in proliferative endoarteritis leading to progressively increasing pulmonary artery pressure due to reduced elasticity. elasticity allows the pulmonary arteries to stretch in response to each pulse and helps maintain a relatively constant pressure in ...201425218885
climate suitability for the transmission of dirofilaria immitis and d. repens in germany.recently concerns are increasing that dirofilarial nematodes may spread from endemic areas in southern, eastern and central europe to countries in northern regions of europe. the increasing number of autochthonous cases of canine dirofilaria repens infections in germany indicates that worms of this genus may invade new areas, and climate change may be a key factor in this scenario. thus analysis of long term development of regional temperature is a pivotal factor in risk analysis related to tran ...201425095735
ethanolic extract of azadirachta indica (a. juss.) causing apoptosis by ros upregulation in dirofilaria immitis microfilaria.dirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in the canine family. the aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the ethanolic extract of azadirachta indica leaves (eea) against the microfilaria (mf) of d. immitis in vitro. eea was evaluated for different compound classes through hptlc. relative motility, mortality and morphological alterations were observed in the mf after exposure to eea. the effect of eea on redox status in the treated mf was evaluated b ...201425092478
occurrence of immature forms of culicids (insecta: diptera) in the northeastern region of brazil.the culicidae family is represented by approximately 3,610 species, among which many are involved in transmission of pathogens and parasites, thus presenting great medical-veterinary importance. in brazil, the state of pernambuco is considered an endemic area for many diseases vectored by mosquitoes, such as human and canine filariasis, caused by wuchereria bancrofti and dirofilaria immitis, respectively. the aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of immature forms of culicids, over an ...201425054499
chronic polyarthritis associated to cercopithifilaria bainae infection in a dog.despite the widespread distribution of cercopithifilaria bainae among canine and tick populations worldwide, this filarioid is currently considered of 'minor importance' in veterinary medicine, particularly when compared to related filarioids, such as dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens. to date, only a single case of dermatological alterations possibly associated to infection by c. bainae had been reported in a dog. in the present study, we describe the first case of systemic alterations ...201425037896
the adulticide effect of a combination of doxycycline and ivermectin in dirofilaria immitis-experimentally infected dogs is associated with reduction in local t regulatory cell populations.in a previous study, dogs experimentally infected with dirofilaria immitis were treated with either ivermectin or doxycycline or a combination of both. the adulticide effect was significantly higher in the dogs treated with both drugs and was similar to that observed in dogs treated with melarsomine hydrochloride. in the present study, lung tissue samples from these dogs were evaluated for the presence of t regulatory (foxp3+) cells by immunohistochemistry. cells were enumerated for each dog in ...201425027611
clinical assessment of post-adulticide complications in dirofilaria immitis-naturally infected dogs treated with doxycycline and ivermectin.this study shows that a combination of doxycycline (10mg/kg/sid for 30 days) and ivermectin (6 μg/kg/every 15 days for 6 months) is well tolerated for the treatment of canine heartworm disease (hwd). monthly echocardiography showed that 84% of treated dogs either progressively improved parameters indicative of pulmonary hypertension or, following slight worsening, resolved all signs. thoracic radiography showed the persistence of interstitial inflammation, even though also in this case, approxim ...201424986465
first findings and prevalence of adult heartworms (dirofilaria immitis) in wild carnivores from serbia.heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic roundworm that causes a zoonotic disease known as dirofilariosis. little is known about the role of wild carnivores serving as reservoirs in nature. therefore, we examined 738 hearts and lungs of free ranging wild carnivores from serbia to determine the presence of adult heartworms. during the period 2009-2013, the prevalence in golden jackals (canis aureus) was 7.32%, in red foxes (vulpes vulpes) 1.55%, in wolves (canis lupus) 1.43%, and in wild ca ...201424951168
detection of wolbachia in dirofilaria infected dogs in portugal.wolbachia pipiens, an intracellular endosymbiont bacteria of filarial nematodes, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of filarial diseases, in particular in heavy dirofilaria spp. infections. antibiotic therapy (doxycycline) against wolbachia has been proven to be suitable adjunct therapy, prior to adulticide treatment of canine dirofilariosis. despite its importance, investigation on the wolbachia/dirofilaria complex in portugal had not been undertaken so far. this study reports the first de ...201424912954
dirofilaria repens and dirofilaria immitis dna findings in mosquitoes in germany: temperature data allow autochthonous extrinsic development.after the repeated demonstration of dirofilaria repens infections in german dogs, d. repens and dirofilaria immitis dna was detected in mosquitoes trapped in 2011, 2012 and 2013 in northeastern and southwestern germany within the framework of culicid monitoring projects. as temperature is the most important factor dictating the extrinsic development of dirofilarial larvae in the potential vector, data of the german weather service (dwd) were analysed for the regions where the positive mosquitoes ...201424906992
comparison of the vector potential of different mosquito species for the transmission of heartworm, dirofilaria immitis, in rural and urban areas in and surrounding stillwater, oklahoma, u.s.a.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 im ...201424898348
acute phase response in dogs with dirofilaria immitis.the aim of this study was to determine concentrations of different positive and negative acute phase proteins (c-reactive protein, haptoglobin, albumin and paraoxonase-1) in dogs naturally infected with dirofilaria immitis at the time of diagnosis. 194 dogs were included in the study. all were evaluated for the presence or absence of d. immitis circulating antigens and for the presence or absence of microfilariae and a clinical examination was carried out. 38 dogs were negative and 156 dogs were ...201424893697
molecular detection of dirofilaria immitis, dirofilaria repens and setaria tundra in mosquitoes from germany.as a result of globalization and climate change, dirofilaria immitis and dirofilaria repens, the causative agents of dirofilariosis in europe, continue to spread from endemic areas in the mediterranean to northern and northeastern regions of europe where autochthonous cases of dirofilarial infections have increasingly been observed in dogs and humans. whilst d. repens was recently reported from mosquitoes in putatively non-endemic areas, d. immitis has never been demonstrated in mosquitoes from ...201424433279
assessing the susceptibility status of mosquitoes (diptera: culicidae) in a dirofilariasis focus, northwestern iran.mosquitoes are considered as the vectors of dirofilariasis and some vector borne disease in iran. the objective of this study was to determine the susceptibility level of the vectors to various insecticides recommended by who for any control measures in an endemic area in northwestern iran.201426114140
factors influencing u.s. canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) prevalence.this paper examines the individual factors that influence prevalence rates of canine heartworm in the contiguous united states. a data set provided by the companion animal parasite council, which contains county-by-county results of over nine million heartworm tests conducted during 2011 and 2012, is analyzed for predictive structure. the goal is to identify the factors that are important in predicting high canine heartworm prevalence rates.201424906567
survey of toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum, haemotropic mycoplasmas and other arthropod-borne pathogens in cats from albania.albania is a country on the western part of the balkan peninsula. the mediterranean climate is favourable for the stable development of many arthropod species, which are incriminated as vectors for various agents. recently, several papers have reported on epidemiological aspects of parasitic diseases including vector-borne disease agents of dogs with zoonotic characteristics in albania. however, data on the epidemiology of feline parasitic and bacterial agents in albania is scarce.201424517118
first report of babesia gibsoni in central america and survey for vector-borne infections in dogs from nicaragua.although many vector-borne diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in dogs in tropical areas and potential zoonoses, there is little information on these conditions in central america.201424667065
iron necessity: the secret of wolbachia's success?the bacterium wolbachia (order rickettsiales) is probably the world's most successful vertically-transmitted symbiont, distributed among a staggering 40% of terrestrial arthropod species. wolbachia has great potential in vector control due to its ability to manipulate its hosts' reproduction and to impede the replication and dissemination of arboviruses and other pathogens within haematophagous arthropods. in addition, the unexpected presence of wolbachia in filarial nematodes of medical and vet ...201425329055
cardio-pulmonary parasitic nematodes affecting cats in europe: unraveling the past, depicting the present, and predicting the future.various cardio-pulmonary parasitic nematodes infecting cats have recently been fascinating and stimulating the attention of the academia, pharmaceutical companies, and veterinary practitioners. this is the case of the metastrongyloids: aelurostrongylus abstrusus and troglostrongylus brevior, the trichuroid: capillaria aerophila (syn. eucoleus aerophilus), and the filarioid: dirofilaria immitis. apparently, these parasites have been emerging in several european countries, thus, gaining an importa ...201426664917
prevalence of canine heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) disease in dogs of central portugal.the aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors concerning dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from figueira da foz, located in the central region of portugal. in the period between november 2009 and january 2011, 304 blood samples were obtained from dogs over 1 year of age, with no previous history of heartworm prevention or diagnosis. every blood sample was analyzed using varied laboratory techniques (direct microscopic evaluation of a fresh blood sample, the mo ...201424534524
heat treatment prior to testing allows detection of antigen of dirofilaria immitis in feline serum.diagnosis of dirofilaria immitis infection in cats is complicated by the difficulty associated with reliable detection of antigen in feline blood and serum samples.201424411014
concurrent transcriptional profiling of dirofilaria immitis and its wolbachia endosymbiont throughout the nematode life cycle reveals coordinated gene expression.dirofilaria immitis, or canine heartworm, is a filarial nematode parasite that infects dogs and other mammals worldwide. current disease control relies on regular administration of anthelmintic preventives, however, relatively poor compliance and evidence of developing drug resistance could warrant alternative measures against d. immitis and related human filarial infections be taken. as with many other filarial nematodes, d. immitis contains wolbachia, an obligate bacterial endosymbiont thought ...201425433394
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