An analysis of time trends for canine heartworm disease in Grenada and its associated risk factors based on veterinary clinical pathology laboratory data base records between 2003 and 2015

Abstract

Canine heartworm (CHW) disease is a common parasitic infection in dogs in the Caribbean islands. However, studies on temporal trends and risk factors are limited for this region. This study represents the time trends in laboratory prevalence and risk factors of canine heartworm infections between 2003 and 2015.In this case series, 662 cases of laboratory-diagnosed heartworm were compared to 662 dogs without a laboratory diagnosis of heartworm (controls). One hundred and seventy two frozen serum positive samples were later analyzed for heartworm antigens using Heska solo® Step CH, and all 172 cases of microfilariae were confirmed as Dirofilaria immitis. Annual prevalence, linear trends and odds ratios (OR) for CHW were estimated using EPIINFO version 7 at a significance level of α = 0.05. Logistic regression was used to assess the association of CHW with variables showing a statistically significant univariate relationship.Laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased from 72 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2003 to 15 cases per 1000 dogs per year in 2015 [X2 for linear trend = 151.8, p < 0.0001], with the occurrence of an epidemic of CHW between 2008 and 2010.The odds of CHW were higher among adult dogs [(OR) = 3.9 (95% CI, 2.9–7.0)] and geriatric dogs [OR = 2.1 (95% CI, 1.1–4.3)] compared to puppies. The odds of CHW were higher [OR = 1.3 (95% CI, 1.1–1.6)] among male dogs than female dogs, but the odds for CHW were lower among neutered dogs [OR = 0.4 (95% CI, 0.2 – 0.6)] compared to intact dogs. The odds of a dog being diagnosed with CHW were elevated [OR = 4.1 (95% CI, 3.2–5.2)] during the dry season compared to the rainy season.Our findings show that canine heartworm is extensive in laboratory submissions in Grenada. However, the laboratory prevalence of CHW decreased between 2003 and 2015, with an epidemic occurring between 2008 and 2010. Age of the dog, sex, neutered status, and seasonality of diagnosis were significantly associated CHW in Grenada.