Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-tf8b9 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T21:29:58.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Serological and molecular studies on Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Turkey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 June 2008

S. Simsek*
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig23119, Turkey
A.E. Utuk
Affiliation:
Central Veterinary Control and Research Institute, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey
E. Koroglu
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Firat, Elazig23119, Turkey
M. Rishniw
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cardiology and Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Box 11 Veterinary Research Tower, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
*
*Fax: +90 424 2388173 E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract

We estimated the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in domestic dogs in five Turkish provinces – Sakarya, Kocaeli, Ankara, Elazig and Mersin – using a commercial ELISA kit for detecting circulating antigen and a PCR test for detecting circulating microfilarial DNA. A total of 211 whole-blood and serum samples were collected from dogs of various breeds, ages and life status (owned or stray). Sample population characteristics were recorded and examined for differences in prevalence. Additionally, we collected 15 blood samples from cats (14 owned and 1 stray) from Ankara province and used PCR to detect D. immitis infection. Twenty-seven (12.8%) of 211 dog samples were positive for D. immitis antigen by ELISA. No differences in prevalence were observed by sex (female: 14.4%; male: 10.7%; P>0.05). The prevalence of D. immitis infection varied with age: 11.8% in younger dogs (0.5–2 years) and 17.5% in older dogs (3–5 years). Prevalence between stray dogs (15.2%) and owned dogs (9.3%) did not differ (P>0.05). Prevalence rates were highest in Kocaeli province (18.3%), followed by Ankara (14.8%), Sakarya (12.3%) and Mersin (10.5%) provinces. Prevalence in Elazig province was 0%. No dogs or cats had microfilarial DNA detectable by PCR.

Type
Research Papers
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Agaoglu, Z., Akgul, Y., Ceylan, E. & Akkan, H. (2000) Van yöresi köpeklerinde Dirofilaria immitis'in yaygınlığı. The Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Yüzüncü Yıl 11, 4143(in Turkish).Google Scholar
Ahid, S.M., Lourenco-de-Oliveira, R. & Saraiva, L.Q. (1999) Canine heartworm on Sao Luis Island, Northeastern Brazil: a potential zoonosis. Cadernos de Saude Publica 15, 405412.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Atas, A.D., Ozcelik, S. & Saygi, G. (1997) Sivas sokak köpeklerinde görülen helmint türleri, bunların yayılışı ve halk sağlığı yönünden önemi. Acta Parasitologica Turcica 21, 305309(in Turkish).Google Scholar
Borgarelli, M., Venco, L., Piga, P.M., Bonino, F. & Ryan, W.G. (1997) Surgical removal of heartworms from the right atrium of a cat. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association 211, 6869.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Byeon, K.H., Kim, B.J., Kim, S.M., Yu, H.S., Jeong, H.J. & Ock, M.S. (2007) A serological survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection in pet dogs of Busan, Korea, and effects of chemoprophylaxis. Korean Journal of Parasitology 45, 2732.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cancrini, G., Allende, E., Favia, G., Bornay, F., Anton, F. & Simon, F. (2000) Canine dirofilariosis in two cities of southeastern Spain. Veterinary Parasitology 92, 8186.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Capelli, G., Poglayen, G., Bertotti, F., Giupponi, S. & Martini, M. (1996) The host–parasite relationship in canine heartworm infection in a hyperendemic area of Italy. Veterinary Research Communication 20, 320330.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Casiraghi, M., Bazzocchi, C., Mortarion, M., Ottina, E. & Genchi, C. (2006) A simple molecular method for discriminating common filarial nematodes of dogs (Canis familiaris). Veterinary Parasitology 141, 368372.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Clausen, P.H., Wiemann, A., Patzelt, R., Kalkaire, D., Potzsch, C., Peregrine, A. & Mehlitz, D. (1999) Use of a PCR assay for the specific and sensitive detection of Trypanosoma spp. in naturally infected dairy cattle in peri-urban Kampala, Uganda. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 29, 2131.Google Scholar
Coskun, S.Z., Tinar, R., Akyol, C.V., Aydin, L. & Demir, S. (1992) Doğal enfekte köpeklerde Dirofilaria immitis mikrofilerlerine ivermektinin etkisi. The Journal of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Uludağ 11, 121128(in Turkish).Google Scholar
Fan, C.K., Su, K.E., Lin, Y.H., Liao, C.W., Du, W.Y. & Chiou, H.Y. (2001) Seroepidemiological survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection among domestic dogs in Taipei City and mountain aboriginal districts in Taiwan (1998–1999). Veterinary Parasitology 102, 113120.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Glickman, L.T., Grieve, R.B., Breitschwerdt, E.B., Mika-Grieve, M., Patronek, G.J., Domanski, L.M., Root, C.R. & Malone, J.B. (1984) Serologic pattern of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection. American Journal of Veterinary Research 45, 11781183.Google ScholarPubMed
Grieve, R.B., Frank, G.R., Stewart, V.A., Parsons, J.C., Belasco, D.L. & Hepler, D.I. (1991) Chemoprophylactic effects of milbemycin oxime against larvae of Dirofilaria immitis during prepatent development. American Journal of Veterinary Research 52, 20402042.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Guralp, N. (1981) Helmintoloji. Ankara, Ankara Üniv. Basımevi (in Turkish).Google Scholar
Hoover, J.P., Campbell, G.A., Fox, J.C., Claypool, P.L. & Mullins, S.B. (1996) Comparison of eight diagnostic blood tests for heartworm infection in dogs. Canine Practice 21, 1119.Google Scholar
Kassai, T. (1999) Veterinary helminthology. Oxford, Butterworth-Heinemann.Google Scholar
Mar, P.H., Yong, I.C., Chang, G.N. & Fei, A.C. (2002) Specific polymerase chain reaction for differantial diagnosis of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria reconditum using primers derived from internal transcribed spacer region 2 (ITS2). Veterinary Parasitology 106, 243252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Montoya, J.A., Morales, M., Ferrer, O., Molina, J.M. & Corbera, J.A. (1998) The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Gran Canaria, Canaria Islands, Spain (1994–1996). Veterinary Parasitology 75, 221226.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Oge, H., Doganay, A., Oge, S. & Yildirim, A. (2003) Prevalence and distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in domestic dogs from Ankara and vicinity in Turkey. Deutsche Tierarztliche Wochenschrift 110, 6972.Google ScholarPubMed
Oncel, V. & Vural, G. (2005) Seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in stray dogs in Istanbul and Izmir. Turkish Journal of Veterinary and Animal Sciences 29, 785789.Google Scholar
Rishniw, M., Barr, S.C., Simpson, K.W., Frongillo, M.F., Franz, M. & Alpizar, J.L.D. (2006) Discrimination between six species of canine microfilariae by single polymerase chain reaction. Veterinary Parasitology 135, 303314.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Simon, F., Lopez-Belmonte, J., Marcos-Atxutegi, C., Morchon, R. & Martin-Pacho, J.R. (2005) What is happening outside North America regarding human dirofilariasis? Veterinary Parasitology 133, 181189.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Song, K.H., Lee, S.E., Hayasaki, M., Shiramizu, K., Kim, D.H. & Cho, K.W. (2003) Seroprevalence of canine dirofilariosis in South Korea. Veterinary Parasitology 114, 231236.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Soulsby, E.J.L. (1986) Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. 7th edn.London, Bailliere and Tindall.Google Scholar
Tasan, E. (1983) Elazig ve yöresinde köpeklerde filariaların yayılışı. Doğa Bilim Dergisi 7, 6370 (in Turkish).Google Scholar
Yildirim, A., Ica, A., Atalay, O., Düzlü, O. & Inci, A. (2007) Prevalence and epidemiological aspects of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Kayseri province, Turkey. Research in Veterinary Sciences 82, 358363.CrossRefGoogle Scholar