On a Cercopithifilaria sp. transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus: a neglected, but widespread filarioid of dogs

Domenico Otranto,Salvatore Giannetto,Stefania Weigl,Maria Stefania Latrofa,Emanuele Brianti,Giada Annoscia,Odile Bain,Riccardo Paolo Lia,Guadalupe Mirò,Filipe Dantas-Torres,Elias Papadopoulos,Ettore Napoli,Gabriella Gaglio

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-5-1

Abstract

BackgroundThis study was aimed at investigating the distribution of a Cercopithifilaria sp. sensu Otranto et al., 2011 with dermal microfilariae recently identified in a dog from Sicily (Italy). A large epidemiological survey was conducted by examining skin samples (n = 917) and ticks (n = 890) collected from dogs at different time points in Italy, central Spain and eastern Greece.ResultsThe overall prevalence of Cercopithifilaria sp. in the sampled animal populations was 13.9% and 10.5% by microscopy of skin sediments and by PCR on skin samples, respectively. Up to 21.6% and 45.5% of dogs in Spain were positive by microscopical examination and by PCR. Cumulative incidence rates ranging from 7.7% to 13.9% were estimated in dogs from two sites in Italy. A low level of agreement between the two diagnostic tests (microscopical examination and PCR) was recorded in sites where samples were processed in parallel. Infestation rate as determined by tick dissection (from 5.2% to 16.7%) was higher than that detected by PCR (from 0% to 3.9%); tick infestation was significantly associated with Cercopithifilaria sp. infestation in dogs from two out of four sites. Developing larvae found in ticks were morphometrically studied and as many as 1469 larvae were found in a single tick.ConclusionsOur data suggest that, in addition to the most common species of filarioids known to infest dogs (i.e., Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens and Acanthocheilonema reconditum), Cercopithifilaria sp. with dermal microfilariae should be considered due to its widespread distribution in southern Europe and high frequency in tick-exposed dogs.

Highlights

This study was aimed at investigating the distribution of a Cercopithifilaria sp. sensu Otranto et al, 2011 with dermal microfilariae recently identified in a dog from Sicily (Italy)
Dermal microfilariae of the genus Cercopithifilaria found in a dog from Sicily, Cercopithifilaria sp. sensu Otranto et al, 2011, were characterised morphologically and differentiated from other microfilariae commonly found in dogs [12]
A total of 237 skin sediments and 877 skin samples were examined for the presence of Cercopithifilaria sp. by microscopic and molecular analysis, respectively

Summary

Introduction

This study was aimed at investigating the distribution of a Cercopithifilaria sp. sensu Otranto et al, 2011 with dermal microfilariae recently identified in a dog from Sicily (Italy). Sensu Otranto et al, 2011 with dermal microfilariae recently identified in a dog from Sicily (Italy). Canine filariae with haematic microfilariae (e.g., Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides) are known better than those with only dermal microfilariae (e.g., Onchocerca lupi and Cercopithifilaria spp.). This is probably due to the fact that dermal filariae cause limited or no Filarioids belonging to the genus Cercopithifilaria Eberhard, 1980, which are transmitted by hard ticks (Ixodidae), parasitize a range of host species, including dogs [11]. A PCR protocol for the detection of Cercopithifilaria sp. in dog skin samples and ticks was assessed and proposed as a tool for further epidemiological studies [12]

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