Can heartworm prevalence in dogs be used as provisional data for assessing the prevalence of the infection in cats?
Abstract
Cats are considered a susceptible host for Dirofilaria immitis; however, increased host resistance is reflected by relatively low adult worm burdens in natural and experimental infections; the prolonged prepatent period (8 months); the low level and short duration of microfilaremia; and the short life span of adult worms (2-3 years). From April to September 2006, 212 cats and 608 dogs, all exposed for at least one transmission season, were screened for D. immitis infection in a multi-center study in the Po River Valley in northern Italy. Cats were initially evaluated by antibody testing; positive subjects were followed up by antigen testing and echocardiography (and necropsy if death occurred). The prevalence in dogs was 29% by a modified Knott test and antigen testing compared with a prevalence of 4.7% in cats by an antibody test; six of these infections (2.8%) were confirmed by the follow-up evaluations. This field study demonstrated that the prevalence of heartworm infection in cats in this area is within the expected limits of 9-18% of the prevalence in dogs. Antibody testing likely underestimates the real prevalence of D. immitis infection in cats. These results also emphasize the importance of preventive treatment in cats.
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The observed D. immitis antigen prevalence in cats (3.5%) is in agreement with the expected 3.6-7.2% derived from dog prevalence using a 9-18% ratio.
“This assumption would suggest the prevalence of heartworm antigen in cats on Madeira to be 3.6–7.2%, which is in agreement with the value found in the regional feline population.”
From Survey of Dirofilaria immitis antigen and antibodies to Leishmania infantum and Toxoplasma gondii in cats from Madeira Island, Portugal (2020) · cites this paper as [5]
Feline dirofilariosis is estimated to be 5-20% of that of the canine population in the same area.
“Given the natural resistance of the feline host to heartworm infection, it is estimated that the feline dirofilariosis is 5–20% of that of the canine population in the same area [27, 28]”
From Prevalence of heartworm in dogs and cats of Madrid, Spain (2017) · cites this paper as [28]
Venco et al. reported a feline prevalence of approximately 10% of the prevalence in dogs in an endemic area in Italy.
“Venco et al. [6] reported a feline prevalence of approximately 10% of the prevalence in dogs in an endemic area in Italy.”
From First epidemiological report of feline heartworm infection in the Barcelona metropolitan area (Spain) (2014) · cites this paper as [6]
Infection is detected in the same areas as canine HWD at about 9-18% of the rate in unprotected dogs.
“infection is detected in the same areas as canine HWD at about 9–18% of the rate in unprotected dogs.”
From Dirofilarioses in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management (2020) · cites this paper as [19]
Studies investigating anti-D immitis antibodies in cats show that the rate of exposure to infection is much higher.
“studies investigating anti-D immitis antibodies in cats show that the rate of exposure to infection is much higher.”
From Dirofilarioses in cats: European guidelines from the ABCD on prevention and management (2020) · cites this paper as [19]
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- Authors
- Venco, L., Genchi, M., Genchi, C., Gatti, D., & Kramer, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Milan (IT)
- Bayer (Italy) (IT)
- University of Parma (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Venco, L.
- Venue
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-03
- Volume
- 176
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 300-303
- ISSN
- 0304-4017 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2083248009
- Cited by
- 58
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 4 · 2015: 4 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 2 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 1.51
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Veterinary Parasitology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- 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
- heartworm disease, Dirofilaria immitis, cats, dogs, infection prevalence, antibody detection, antigen testing, host resistance, prepatent period, microfilaremia, Po Valley
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Antigens, Helminth, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Echocardiography, Female, Italy, Life Expectancy, Male, Prevalence
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