Cited by 91Parasitic Diseases Research and TreatmentHelminth infection and controlResearch on Leishmaniasis Studies

First findings and prevalence of adult heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis) in wild carnivores from Serbia

Penezić, Aleksandra, Selaković, Sanja, Pavlović, Ivan, Ćirović, Duško·2014·Parasitology Research

Abstract

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic roundworm that causes a zoonotic disease known as dirofilariosis. Little is known about the role of wild carnivores serving as reservoirs in nature. Therefore, we examined 738 hearts and lungs of free ranging wild carnivores from Serbia to determine the presence of adult heartworms. During the period 2009-2013, the prevalence in golden jackals (Canis aureus) was 7.32%, in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) 1.55%, in wolves (Canis lupus) 1.43%, and in wild cats (Felis silvestris) 7.69%. No adult heartworm specimens were found in beech martens (Martes foina), stone martens (Martes martes), European polecats (Mustela putorius), badgers (Meles meles) or otter (Lutra lutra). The highest recorded prevalence was in 2013 (7.30%) and the lowest in 2012 (1.6%). In jackals, the prevalence was higher in males (10%) than in females (4.06%), while in foxes the prevalence was 1.75% in males and 1.26% in females. The most infected host was a wolf in which 37 adult specimens were found. Because of the potentially significant role in the life cycle of D. immitis, populations of wild carnivores in Europe should be further examined and tested for heartworm infections.

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Crossref · 10.1007/s00436-014-3991-9

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  • Penezić et al. and Potkonjac et al. showed presence of heartworm in golden jackals (prevalence 7.32 and 3.1%, respectively) and in red foxes (1.55 and 5.3%, respectively); Penezić et al. also showed prevalence of 1.43% in wolves and 7.69% in wild cats.

    “Penezić et al. [137] and Potkonjac et al. [134] showed presence of heartworm in golden jackals (prevalence of 7.32 and 3.1%, respectively), and in red foxes (1.55 and 5.3%, respectively). In addition, Penezić et al. [137] showed prevalence of 1.43% in wolves and 7.69% in wild cats.”
  • Wild animals in which Dirofilaria infections were identified were predominantly canids like red foxes, golden jackals, and grey wolves.

    “Furthermore, there are some wild animals in which Dirofilaria infections were identified, predominantly in canids like red foxes [4, 5, 51–62], golden jackals [52–55, 63, 64], and grey wolves [2, 3, 51, 52, 55, 65, 66].”
  • In wolves, Dirofilaria spp. infections are only sporadically reported, as individual cases.

    “Indeed, in wolves Dirofilaria spp. infections are only sporadically reported, as individual cases [6, 50, 55–57].”

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Authors
Penezić, A., Selaković, S., Pavlović, I., & Ćirović, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Belgrade (RS)
  • Utrecht University (NL)
  • Scientific Institute for Veterinary Medicine of Serbia (RS)
Corresponding author
Penezić, Aleksandra
Venue
Parasitology Research
Published
2014-06-21
Volume
113
Issue
9
Pages
3281-3285
ISSN
  • 0044-3255 (ISSN-L)
  • 0932-0113
  • 1432-1955
OpenAlex
W2053334361
Cited by
91
References
24
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 19 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 10 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 8
FWCI
4.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Parasitology Research (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
  • RepoNIVS - Repository of the Scientific Veterinary Institute of Serbia (submittedVersion)
Funders
Ministarstvo Prosvete, Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
  • Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Helminth infection and control
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
Keywords
Dirofilaria immitis, dirofilariasis, wild carnivores, reservoir hosts, prevalence, golden jackal, red fox, wolf, wild cats, Martes, Mustela, Meles meles, Lutra lutra, sex differences in infection, Serbia
MeSH terms
Animals, Carnivora, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Female, Male, Prevalence, Serbia

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