title: Filarial infections in domestic dogs in Lusaka, Zambia.
abstract: Filariae are common parasites of dogs in many parts of the world, but little is known about the status of these infections in sub-Saharan Africa. A study was carried out to determine the occurrence and species of filariae among 272 dogs in Lusaka, Zambia. Giemsa stained blood smear and Knott's concentration methods revealed microfilariae in 16 (5.9%) of the dogs. PCR confirmed that most of these dogs had Acanthocheilonema reconditum infection. Ten (4.0%) of the examined dogs were positive for Dirofilaria immitis circulating antigen (by DiroCHEK(®) test), but D. immitis microfilariae were not identified in any of the dogs and the status of this infection remains unclear. Further studies are needed to explore the occurrence of filariae in Zambian dogs and the zoonotic potential for humans.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Siwila
authors.affiliation: Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Studies, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors.forename: Enala T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Mwase
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nejsum
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlaegevej 100, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. Electronic address: pesi@sund.ku.dk.
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Simonsen
mesh_terms: D063486:Acanthocheilonema / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D063485:Acanthocheilonemiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000662:veterinary; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA / Q000662:veterinary; D015024:Zambia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth
keywords: Acanthocheilonema reconditum; Dirofilaria immitis; Dogs; Filariasis; Zambia