Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Wolbachia bacteria found in heartworm infected dogs in Portugal
By Landum, Miguel et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2014·Medical Parasitology Unit·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Detection of Wolbachia in Dirofilaria infected dogs in Portugal.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study in Portugal found that more than half of the dogs infected with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) also had a type of bacteria called Wolbachia in their blood. This is important because treating these bacteria with antibiotics like doxycycline can help dogs recover from heartworm disease more effectively. Out of 38 dogs tested, 20 showed signs of Wolbachia, while those with hidden infections (where the parasite is present but not detectable) did not have the bacteria. Understanding the relationship between Wolbachia and heartworm can help veterinarians better manage this serious condition in dogs.
People also search for: dog heartworm treatment · doxycycline for dog heartworm · symptoms of heartworm in dogs
Abstract
Wolbachia pipiens, an intracellular endosymbiont bacteria of filarial nematodes, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of filarial diseases, in particular in heavy Dirofilaria spp. infections. Antibiotic therapy (doxycycline) against Wolbachia has been proven to be suitable adjunct therapy, prior to adulticide treatment of canine dirofilariosis. Despite its importance, investigation on the Wolbachia/Dirofilaria complex in Portugal had not been undertaken so far. This study reports the first detection of Wolbachia in Dirofilaria spp. infected dogs in the context of an ongoing epidemiological survey in central-south regions in the country. Wolbachia DNA was detected by PCR in 52.6% (20/38) of canine blood samples positive for Dirofilaria immitis based on parasitological (Knott's and Acid Phosphatase) and serological (Witness(®)Dirofilaria) methods. No Wolbachia DNA could be detected in samples from dogs with occult infections (parasite negative but antigen positive). The lack of Wolbachia detection in some microfilaremic dogs was somewhat unexpected and needs to be elucidated in further studies, as the presence or absence of these bacteria in association with microfilaria is of importance for veterinarians in the management and control of canine dirofilariosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24912954/