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Canine filarial infections in Liguria, north-west Italy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 March 2015

M. Magi ,
L. Guardone ,
W. Mignone ,
G. Monni ,
G. Tozzini ,
M.C. Prati  and
F. Macchioni
M. Magi*
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124Pisa, Italy
L. Guardone
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124Pisa, Italy
W. Mignone
Affiliation:
IZS Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta, Sezione Di Imperia, Via Nizza 4, 18100, Imperia, Italy
G. Monni
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124Pisa, Italy
G. Tozzini
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124Pisa, Italy
M.C. Prati
Affiliation:
Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri 7, 56126Pisa, Italy
F. Macchioni
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124Pisa, Italy
*
*Fax: + 0039 050 2210182 E-mail: marta.magi@unipi.it
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Abstract

This paper reports the findings of a study on the presence of various species of filarial nematodes in dogs in Liguria, north-west Italy, a region traditionally considered free from the disease. Between 2009 and 2012 blood samples were taken from 365 dogs in rural areas in Liguria. The blood samples were then submitted to Knott's test, histochemical staining, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for Dirofilaria immitis antigens. Overall, 35 of the 365 dogs were positive using Knott's test for microfilariae (prevalence 9.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.6–12.6%). Acanthocheilonema reconditum was the most prevalent species (8.0%), while Dirofilaria repens (1.4%) and Dirofilaria immitis (0.6%) were less common. One co-infection by D. repens and A. reconditum was observed. All morphological identifications were confirmed by histochemical staining and PCR. In addition, a retrospective analysis of data on D. immitis antigens in 11,363 samples of canine sera was carried out. Sera were collected and analysed for D. immitis antigens by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale (IZS) of Piedmont, Liguria and Aosta Valley (Imperia section) between 2004 and 2013 during annual tests for leishmaniasis on autochthonous dogs throughout Liguria. Serological data from IZS showed an overall seroprevalence of 0.65% (95% CI: 0.50–0.80%) for D. immitis throughout the region. The present study updates the epidemiological map of canine filarial infections in Italy and suggests the need for surveillance and prophylaxis in Liguria.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 90 , Issue 1 , January 2016 , pp. 121 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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