Detection of Dirofilaria repens microfilariae in a dog from Portugal.
Dirofilaria repens causes subcutaneous infection in dogs and cats, and is the main agent of human dirofilariosis in Europe. Detection of D. repens is described in a dog from Portugal, a finding that simultaneously represents the first presumable case of autochthonous infection with the parasite in any animal host species in the country. A mixed D. repens/Dirofilaria immitis infection (20:1 ratio) was found, with an overall density of 1267 microfilariae per millilitre of blood. Morphological features, including morphometry, and acid phosphatase histochemical staining confirmed identity of the two filarioids. Distribution of D. repens in Portugal should be further assessed at the population level both in vertebrate hosts and in vectors. Due to the zoonotic potential of the parasite, preventive measures such as the administration of microfilaricides and insect repellents should be put into practice to protect animals and public health.
Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisboa, Portugal.|Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024, Lisboa, Portugal.
Carla
C
Maia
Parasitus Ex e.V., Vollbergstr. 37, 53859, Niederkassel, Germany.
Susanne
S
Lorentz
Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801, Vila Real, Portugal. lcardoso@utad.pt.
Luís
L
Cardoso
Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Str. prov. per Casamassima km 3, 70010, Valenzano, Italy.
Domenico
D
Otranto
Department of Zoology, Division of Parasitology, University of Hohenheim, Emil-Wolff-Str. 34, 70593, Stuttgart, Germany.|Laboklin GmbH & Co. KG, Steubenstr. 4, 97688, Bad Kissingen, Germany.
Torsten J
TJ
Naucke
D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D060348:Dirofilaria repens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008842:Microfilariae / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D011174:Portugal; D011634:Public Health
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000947:Antigens, Helminth
Dirofilaria repens; Dog; Microfilariae; Portugal