title: Microscopic, serologic and molecular surveys on Dirofilaria immitis in stray dogs, Turkey.
abstract: The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection was evaluated in stray dogs of Erzurum, Turkey. A total of 123 whole-blood and 93 sera samples were collected from stray dogs older than 6 months were lived in animal shelter. The PCR and direct microscopic examinations were used for the detection of microfilaria and indirect-ELISA was performed for the detection of anti-D. immitis antibodies. The prevalence of D. immitis in the canine population was 8.1% by PCR, 2.1% by ELISA. In addition, microfilaria burdens of Dirofilaria sp. was 4.8% by direct blood smear examination. There was a statistical difference (P=0.05) in the prevalence between males (10.5%) and females (2.3%) by direct blood smear examination. Similarly there was a statistical difference (P<0.05) in the prevalence between males (15.8%) and females (4.7%) by PCR. Dogs belonging to the 0.5-1 years old group showed the highest prevalence than 2-4 ages group with three tests. Among the 93 samples screened by the ELISA, two samples were positive for the D. immitis antibodies. Both positive dogs with ELISA were females.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Firat, 23119 Elazig, Turkey. ssimsek@firat.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Simsek
authors.forename: Yunusemre
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ozkanlar
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Balkaya
authors.forename: Mustafa Sinan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aktas
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000235:genetics; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D018509:DNA, Helminth