Canine dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a risk factor for the human population on the island of Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain

On Gran Canaria, a hyperendemic island divided into four isoclimatic areas, the prevalence of D. immitis is significantly different between canine populations, varying from 12 to 32%.

“With only 40 km of diameter, this hyperendemic island is divided in four different isoclimatic areas depending on altitude, with marked temperature and humidity differences among them. As consequence, the prevalence of D. immitis is significantly different between the canine populations of each zone, varying from 12 to 32% (Montoya-Alonso et al., 2010b).”

In the Canary Islands, prevalences have remained similar or with slight oscillations during the last 20 years, although the presence of the parasite is reported for the first time in Lanzarote.

“the prevalences have remained similar or with slight oscillations during the last 20 years [9,12,27,28,29], although the presence of the parasite is reported for the first time in Lanzarote.”

High presence of antibodies against D. immitis has been shown in inhabitants of endemic areas such as La Rioja (11.6%), Salamanca (22%) and the Canary Islands (6.4%).

“This risk is evidenced by studies that have shown a high presence of antibodies against D. immitis in inhabitants of endemic areas, such as La Rioja (11.6%), Salamanca (22%) and the Canary Islands (6.4%) [28,30,31,32,33].”

Dirofilaria immitis is a zoonotic parasitic disease mainly located in temperate, tropical, and subtropical areas of the world.

“It is a zoonotic parasitic disease mainly located in temperate, tropical, and subtropical areas of the world [27, 30]”

The prevalence of D. immitis remains at 40% in Podenco Canario hounds, which are kept in poor conditions and exposed to mosquitoes without chemoprophylaxis.

“However, the prevalence remains at 40% in Podenco Canario hounds (a native breed of hunting and guard dog), which are kept in poor conditions and exposed to mosquitoes without chemoprophylaxis (279, 282).”

Prevalences of D. immitis among canine populations differ significantly by climate zone: 25.47% in the stepparic zone, 30.4% in the mild climate zone, 13.57% in the dry desert climate zone, and 10% in the temperate cold climate zone.

“the prevalences of D. immitis among the canine populations of each zone are significantly different: 25.47% and 30.4% in the stepparic and mild climate zones, respectively; 13.57% in the dry desert climate zone; and 10% in the temperate cold climate zone (282).”