Serological and molecular survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection in stray cats in Gyunggi province, South Korea.
The aim of this study was to carry out a serological and molecular survey for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in stray cats using an ELISA kit and PCR assay. One hundred and fifty-five stray cats (77 females and 78 males) in Gyunggi province in South Korea, were used in this study. Four (2.6%) tested with the ELISA kit showed a positive reaction, and all positive samples by the ELISA kit showed a positive reaction by PCR analysis. No significant difference was observed between the male (2.6%) and female (2.6%) cat groups by ELISA kit. The positive rates for dirofilariosis were 2.8% in the 4-6-year-old group, and 18.2% in the > 6-year-old group by ELISA kit. With regard to the age element, older cats showed a higher prevalence of D. immitis infection in this study. A statistical analysis revealed that significant difference was observed in > 6-year-old group (p < 0.01). In conclusion, D. immitis infection in stray cats was present in Gyunggi province, although its incidence was low. Therefore, heartworm treatment and/or prophylaxis for stray cats captured are required in this area.
Liu
J
J
Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea.
Song
K H
KH
Lee
S E
SE
Lee
J Y
JY
Lee
J I
JI
Hayasaki
M
M
You
M J
MJ
Kim
D H
DH
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors
D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth