A cardiac and subcutaneous canine dirofilariosis outbreak in a kennel in central France.

Younes Laidoudi,Stéphanie Watier-Grillot,Oleg Mediannikov,David Ringot,Bernard Davoust

doi:10.1051/parasite/2019073

Abstract

Canine dirofilarioses are nematode infections caused by two species of the genus Dirofilaria: D. immitis and D. repens. We describe here an outbreak of D. immitis and D. repens infection in military working dogs (MWDs) housed in a kennel in the Indre department (centre of France). Out of a total of 17 dogs, 6 (35.2%) tested positive for D. immitis, D. repens or both parasites. Infested dogs were treated and prophylactic measures were implemented for the entire kennel staff. To our knowledge, this is the first documented description of an outbreak of canine cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in the center of France, unlike in the south of this country, where D. immitis and D. repens dirofilariasis are enzootic. In France, as mosquito vectors expand their territory and new non-native vectors are introduced, it is likely that the distribution area of these two diseases of domestic and wild carnivores will be wider and underestimated.

Highlights

Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) [23] and Dirofilaria repens Railliet & Henry, 1911 [33] are mosquito-borne filarioids (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) infecting wild and domestic mammals of different orders with canids as the predominant definitive hosts
We revealed the existence of an indigenous outbreak of D. immitis and D. repens infestation in the French department of Indre
The Knott test conducted on dog No 3 revealed the presence of D. immitis microfilariae

Summary

Introduction

Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) [23] and Dirofilaria repens Railliet & Henry, 1911 [33] are mosquito-borne filarioids (Nematoda: Onchocercidae) infecting wild and domestic mammals of different orders with canids as the predominant definitive hosts. Adult worms of D. immitis with a smooth cuticle (measuring between 12 cm and 30 cm in length) colonize the pulmonary arteries and right heart cavities, whereas adult worms of D. repens, with a finely striated cuticle, (measuring between 5 cm and 17 cm in length) are located in the subcutaneous tissues [11, 26, 28]. About 120 days after infection of the. The disease manifests with more symptoms, such as pruritus and skin changes [38]

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Conclusion