Abstract
Abstract Parasites from the Filariidae family are among the nematodes that can infest dogs. Some may be apathogenic, such as Acanthocheilonema reconditum, and others such as Dirofilaria immitis are potentially zoonotic and may lead dogs to death. Thus, the aim of this study was to perform a survey on filarid infection in dogs with a fixed domicile and wandering dogs temporarily sheltered in the city of Joinville, SC, Brazil. Blood samples from 429 animals were collected from 2015 to 2017 and submitted to screening for microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens. Our results revealed that twenty-four samples (5.6%) displayed A. reconditum microfilariae and three samples (0.7%) were positive for D. immitis, totaling 27 (6.3%) positive animals for filarid parasites. Additionally, A. reconditum was more prevalent in dogs from shelters, whereas the three D. immitis positive samples were from household dogs that displayed no clinical signs of the presence of parasites. The occurrence of these parasites in dogs from Joinville indicates the importance of differential diagnosis of microfilaria species for the correct clinical management of infected dogs. Our epidemiological information may help the medical and veterinary community of the region regarding clinical suspicion of canine and human heartworm disease, as well as guide preventive actions targeting public and animal health.
Highlights
IntroductionIn Brazil, several genera of filarids have been reported in domestic and wild mammals
Filarids (Filarioidea superfamily) are nematode parasites that are located in different organs of the definitive host and present a biological cycle characterized by the release of microfilariae in the circulation, which are ingested and transmitted by a hematophagous intermediate host.In Brazil, several genera of filarids have been reported in domestic and wild mammals
Considering the canine population used in this study (n=429), 6.3% presented parasitism by filarid, 5.6% positive for A. reconditum and 0.7% for D. immitis
Summary
In Brazil, several genera of filarids have been reported in domestic and wild mammals. There has always been great interest in the identification of filarid parasites due to clinical relevance or possible zoonotic potential. Several filariae of domestic dogs have been reported around the world, such as Brugia pahangi[2], Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens[3], Dipetalonema dracunculoides[4], Brugia malayi[5], and Cercopithifilaria bainae[6]. The latter was recently reported in dogs in the Northeast region of Brazil[7]
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