title: Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs in Henan province, central China.
abstract: The heartworm Dirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs and cats, and also infects humans. However, there has been no study on dirofilariasis in dogs in central China. From March 2015 to February 2016, sera from 1176 randomly selected household dogs from Henan province, central China were examined for D. immitis antigen using the Canine Heartworm Antigen Test Kit. The overall seroprevalence of D. immitis in dogs in Henan province was 13% (155/1176). The prevalence was significantly higher in older dogs and dogs kept outdoors, compared to the younger ones and those sheltered indoors. No significant difference of prevalence was observed between sexes. The results suggest that the risk of exposure to D. immitis in dogs is high in Henan, and prophylaxis against the parasite is advisable to decrease the incidence of canine dirofilariosis in this region.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Shuai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China - Xinxiang Assegal Medical Examination Institute, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Nian
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhenchao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Zhijun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Haizhu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Jingbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Hongbin
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China.
authors.forename: Shiguo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000097:blood*; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000947:Antigens, Helminth