title: Filarioids infecting dogs in northeastern Brazil.
abstract: Species of filarial nematodes belonging to the genera Dirofilaria and Acanthocheilonema are recognised as common parasites of dogs throughout the world. Recently, other filarioids featured by the presence of dermal microfilariae (e.g., Onchocerca lupi and Cercopithifilaria spp.) have been recognised in Europe. In Brazil, reports of filarioids in dogs are limited to Dirofilaria immitis, Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Cercopithifilaria bainae. To investigate the distribution of filarial infections in dogs living in an endemic region from northeastern Brazil, blood and skin samples (n=104) were microscopically (modified Knott's test and skin snip sediment examination) and molecularly evaluated. Twenty-two dogs (21.15%) were positive at microscopic and/or molecular examination for at least one filarioid species, with 21 (20.19%) animals positive for blood microfilariae at molecular and/or at microscopic examination. Microfilariae of D. immitis were detected in 12 (11.54%) animals, with co-infection of D. immitis and A. reconditum observed in four (3.85%) individuals. One animal was positive for C. bainae at both microscopic and molecular examination. Analysis of sequence obtained in the present study showed significant alignment identity with that of C. bainae from Europe. Considering that in the area of study arthropod vectors (mosquitoes, fleas and ticks) are prevalent throughout the year, preventive measures should be disposed in order to avoid the animal infestation and pathogen infection.
authors: Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil. Electronic address: rafaelanramos10@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Rafael Antonio Nascimento
authors: RA
authors: Ramos
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors: Ana Gabriela
authors: AG
authors: de Oliveira do Rêgo
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors: Everton Diogo
authors: ED
authors: de Farias Firmino
authors: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil.
authors: Carlos Alberto
authors: CA
authors: do Nascimento Ramos
authors: Academic Unit of Garanhuns, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Garanhuns, Brazil.
authors: Gílcia Aparecida
authors: GA
authors: de Carvalho
authors: Department of Immunology, Aggeu Magalhães Research Centre, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors: Filipe
authors: F
authors: Dantas-Torres
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
authors: Domenico
authors: D
authors: Otranto
authors: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil.
authors: Leucio Câmara
authors: LC
authors: Alves
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001938:Brazil; D018509:DNA, Helminth / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs; D005368:Filariasis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology; D012876:Skin Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D018509:DNA, Helminth
keywords: Acantocheilonema reconditum; Cercopithifilaria bainae; Dirofilaria immitis; Molecular examination