title: Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis among shelter dogs in Tokyo, Japan, after a decade: comparison of 1999-2001 and 2009-2011.
abstract: Changes in the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection among shelter dogs between a decade ago and the present were evaluated. Serum samples were collected from 200 adult dogs in urban and suburban areas in Tokyo, Japan, during two 2-year periods (April 1999 to March 2001 and April 2009 to March 2011). Sera were tested for the presence of D. immitis antigen using a specific commercialized kit. The seroprevalence of D. immitis infection was 46% in 1999-2001 and 23% in 2009-2011. A decrease was observed in the prevalence of infection between 1999-2001 and 2009-2011; in particular, the prevalence in urban areas decreased significantly compared with that in suburban areas (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in prevalence between the sexes in each period, but there was a significant difference between mixed-breed and purebred dogs (P < 0.01). The decrease in prevalence of canine heartworm disease in urban areas could be related to better veterinary care.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Oi
authors.affiliation: Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Public Health, 3-24-1 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0073, Japan.
authors.forename: Souichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshikawa
authors.affiliation: Merial Japan Limited, 3-20-2 Nishi Shinjyuku, Shinjyuku, Tokyo 163-1488, Japan.
authors.forename: Yasuaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazuhide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagaki
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsumoto
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Medical Zoology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University, 1866 Kameino, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0880, Japan.
authors.forename: Sadao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nogami
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000458:organization & administration; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity / Q000639:trends; D015995:Prevalence; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth