Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from Celestun, Mexico, using polymerase chain reaction test.
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and to analyze risk factors associated with infection at Celestun, a coastal locality in southeast Mexico. Blood samples were collected from 279 asymptomatic individuals between August 2007 and March 2008 and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction technique. The association between D. immitis infection and sex, age group, and distance of residence from a wetland of dogs was statistically analyzed. Prevalence of D. immitis infection was of 59.8%. Age of individuals (>2 years) was a risk factor for infection with D. immitis (odds ratio 2.49, confidence interval 1.47-4.23, p=0.001). In conclusion, Celestun can be considered a focus of D. immitis infection with high levels of transmission among the local dog population, as confirmed by the high prevalence reported and the association of age (dogs >2 years) as a risk associated with infection.
Caro-Gonzalez
Johny Antonio
JA
Campus de Ciencias Biológicas y Agropecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Mérida, México.
Bolio-Gonzalez
Manuel Emilio
ME
Escobedo-Ortegón
Francisco Javier
FJ
Manrique-Saide
Pablo
P
Rodriguez-Vivas
Roger Ivan
RI
Rodriguez-Buenfil
Jorge Carlos
JC
Sauri-Arceo
Carlos Humberto
CH
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer / Q000235:genetics; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D053833:Wetlands
D021903:DNA, Ribosomal Spacer