title: Serological and molecular survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection in stray cats in Gyunggi province, South Korea.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, South Korea.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: K H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayasaki
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth