Feline heartworm infection: serological survey of asymptomatic cats living in northern Italy
Abstract
Heartworm infection is now recognized as a potential cause of serious disease in cats. Epidemiological studies indicate that in locations where the infection is endemic in the dog, cats are at risk. The aim of this work was to carry out a serological survey for the presence of anti-Dirofilaria immitis antibodies in privately owned, predominantly asymptomatic cats living in different areas of northern Italy in order to determine the distribution of the parasite and the risk of infection in this species. Serum samples from 1045 cats were evaluated using a commercial antibody (Ab) detection kit (Heska Solo Step Filariosi Felina, Heska Corporation) and results were analyzed together with information obtained by questionnaire. Results showed that 16% of all tested cats were positive for anti-D. immitis antibodies, with values ranging from 9 to 27%, depending on location. Male cats and outdoor cats appeared to be at greater risk, with a significantly higher number of positive antibody tests. The results of this study suggest that the risk of exposure with D. immitis in cats is high in northern Italy and suggest that the use of preventive drugs would be advisable in this area endemic for canine heartworm disease.
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In Italy, D. immitis infections in cats have been diagnosed mostly in northern Italy where prevalences between 7 and 27% have been found, depending on location, in the hyperendemic area of the Po River valley.
“D. immitis infections in cats has been diagnosed mostly in northern Italy where prevalences between 7 and 27% have been found, depending on location, in the hyperendemic area of the Po River valley (Kramer and Genchi, 2002; Genchi et al., 2008).”
From Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and Their Vectors in Europe – New Distribution Trends (2012) · cites this paper as Kramer and Genchi, 2002
In cats, a great variability in prevalences by age ranges can be observed when the results are compared with other studies.
“In cats, a great variability in the prevalences by age ranges can be observed when the results were compared with other studies [7, 14–16, 29].”
From Prevalence of heartworm in dogs and cats of Madrid, Spain (2017) · cites this paper as [29]
An indoor lifestyle does not protect cats from D. immitis infection.
“However, 4.6% of indoor cats showed D. immitis antibodies demonstrating that an indoor lifestyle does not protect cats from infection [16, 29].”
From Prevalence of heartworm in dogs and cats of Madrid, Spain (2017) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- Kramer, L., & Genchi, C.
- Affiliations
- University of Parma (IT)
- University of Milan (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Kramer, L.
- ORCID
- Kramer, L.
- Venue
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2002-02
- Volume
- 104
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 43-50
- ISSN
- 0304-4017 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2081228130
- Cited by
- 42
- References
- 11
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 2 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 1.32
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Veterinary Parasitology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca
- 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
- feline heartworm infection, Dirofilaria immitis, seroprevalence, outdoor cats, male cats, canine heartworm disease, heartworm prevention, Northern Italy
- MeSH terms
- Age Factors, Animals, Antibodies, Helminth, Antigens, Helminth, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Female, Italy, Male, Microfilariae, Surveys and Questionnaires, Sex Factors, Seroepidemiologic Studies
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