Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heartworm infection in pet dogs in the Colombian Caribbean area
By Badillo-Viloria, Maria A et al.·Published in Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases·2023·Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Vida, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dirofilaria immitis in pet dogs from the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that over half of the pet dogs tested in the Colombian Caribbean were infected with heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), which can cause serious health issues. Symptoms like exercise intolerance and low platelet counts were common in these infected dogs. The researchers used two different tests to confirm the infections, showing that heartworm is widespread in this area. This highlights the importance of regular testing and preventive measures for heartworm in dogs to protect their health.
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Abstract
A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the frequency and factors associated with Dirofilaria immitis infection in pet dogs in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean (northern Colombia). A total of 173 dogs were analyzed by a commercial rapid immunochromatographic test (RIT) and a nested PCR of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene, in parallel. Ninety-two (53.2%) of the dogs showed positive results to the RIT, while 59 (34.1%) animals had D. immitis DNA by PCR. Positivity to one or both diagnostic techniques was detected in 104 (60.1%; CI: 53.8-67.4) of the sampled dogs. In PCR-positive dogs, phylogenetic analyses evidenced high nucleotide identity (100%) with sequences previously obtained from mosquitoes, dogs and other mammals in different countries. Exercise intolerance (p = 0.002; OR: 2.33; CI: 1.37-3.96) and thrombocytopenia (p = < 0.001; OR: 1.95; CI: 1.11-3.43) were the main factors associated with D. immitis infection in dogs. The high frequency of D. immitis in dogs indicates a wide distribution of this parasite in the metropolitan area of the Colombian Caribbean, which can be of animal and public health concern. Our results highlight the need to combine different methods to increase the diagnostic accuracy of D. immitis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37741216/