Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dirofilaria repens in cats and dogs in central Europe - what to know
By Bajer, Anna et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2016·Department of Parasitology·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The prevalence of Dirofilaria repens in cats, healthy dogs and dogs with concurrent babesiosis in an expansion zone in central Europe.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that a small number of cats and a significant number of dogs in central Poland were infected with a parasite called Dirofilaria repens, which is spread by mosquitoes. Among the dogs tested, 90% of those with another infection called babesiosis also had D. repens, while healthy dogs showed no signs of co-infection. Dogs with both infections experienced more severe anemia but had lower risks of liver or kidney failure compared to those with just babesiosis. This research highlights the growing concern of these infections in pets and suggests that D. repens might offer some protection against certain complications of babesiosis.
People also search for: cat mosquito-borne disease · dog babesiosis treatment · Dirofilaria repens symptoms in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dirofilaria repens is a mosquito-transmitted, filarial nematode parasitizing dogs, cats and other carnivores. Recently, this parasite has spread in central Europe, including Poland. The aim of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of D. repens in cats and dogs in different regions of the country and to investigate the occurrence and consequences of co-infection with another fast-spreading vector-borne parasite, Babesia canis. RESULTS: In the period 2013-2015, 147 blood samples from cats from central Poland and 257 blood samples from dogs from central, northern, southern and western Poland were collected. Prevalence of D. repens was determined by amplification and sequencing of the 12S rDNA gene fragment. Among dogs, 94 samples originated from clinically healthy dogs from central Poland (Masovia) and 58 samples originated from dogs that were infected with B. canis. Prevalence of D. repens was compared between these two groups of dogs. For the first time D. repens was identified in a cat from central Europe (0.7 % [95 % CL: 0-4.1 %]). The DNA of the filarial endosymbiotic bacterium Wolbachia was detected in two cats (1.4 % [95 % CL: 0-5.5 %]). In dogs, the parasite was detected only in samples from central Poland (Masovia) (local prevalence = 38 % [95 % CL: 25.9-51.8 %]). Prevalence of D. repens was significantly higher in dogs with babesiosis (90 % [95 % CL: 81.6-94.5 %]). Co-infections of D. repens and B. canis were confirmed by sequencing in 30 dogs with babesiosis, but no co-infections were identified in healthy dogs from Masovia. Statistical analyses of blood parameters revealed that dogs with co-infections suffered more severe anemia and thrombocytopenia, but presented milder changes in biochemical parameters (i.e. less elevated concentration of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and serum urea) suggesting lower risk of hepatic or renal failure in comparison to dogs infected only with B. canis. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important due to the spread of dirofilariosis and babesiosis in central Europe, as microfilaraemic dogs seem to be more prone to babesiosis. The possible protective effect of the nematode infection against hepatic or renal failure in canine babesiosis and its mechanisms require further investigations.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27595920/