Canine Dirofilaria Infections in Two Uninvestigated Areas of Serbia: Epidemiological and Genetic Aspects
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In 2009 canine filarial infections were investigated in two northern areas of Serbia (Pančevo and Veliko Gradište), applying morphometry, biochemical staining, and immunological kit to detect Dirofilaria immitis antigens, and two home-made ELISAs to detect antibodies to D. repens and D. immitis somatic/metabolic polyproteins. Moreover, molecular tools were applied to analyze the phylogenetic relationships of the isolates. The microfilariae detected in 21/122 dogs (17.2%) were identified as D. repens (n=21) and D. immitis (n=2). D. immitis antigens were found in another 13 animals with occult infection. All of the 15 heartworm-positive dogs also had antibodies to this parasite, which were detected in another 13 subjects, indicating an overall D. immitis seroprevalence rate of 22.9%. Serology for D. repens revealed evidence of antibodies in 42.6% of the dogs, but was negative for 4 microfilaremic dogs. As for the two different areas, the prevalence of microfilariae and/or D. immitis antigens, mainly due to D. repens microfilaremic animals, was not significantly higher in Veliko Gradište (33.3%) than in Pančevo (22%). However, serology showed a different epidemiological picture. Heartworm infection occurred more often in both areas, and antibodies to dirofilarial nematodes were detected in 72.9% of dogs living in Pančevo, a rate higher than in those living in Veliko Gradište (57.1%). No risk factors for infection were found, confirming the uselessness of prophylactic drugs against D. repens, and suggesting the presence in these areas of sunrise- or sunset-biting mosquitoes as important vectors. The results indicate the need for both appropriate entomological studies and further research on the intra-species variability shown by D. repens.
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Epidemiological studies from Serbia have shown increased canine heartworm prevalence, with ranges between 12.7 and 33.3% in the north, together with presence of some microfilaremic dogs.
“However, epidemiological studies from Serbia have shown increased prevalence, with ranges between 12.7 and 33.3% in the north of the country, together with the presence of some microfilaremic dogs [7,68,69,70,71].”
From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [68]
In another study conducted in 2009 in the northeastern part of Serbia, D. repens microfilariae were detected in 21 out of 122 (17.2%) pet dogs examined.
“In another study conducted in 2009 in the northeastern part of the country, D. repens microfilariae were detected in 21 out of 122 (17.2%) pet dogs examined (Tasić et al., 2012).”
From First records of Dirofilaria repens in wild canids from the region of Central Balkan (2014) · cites this paper as Tasić et al., 2012
In some similar studies, no risk factors for filarial infection could be identified.
“However, in some similar studies, no risk factors for filarial infection could be identified [26, 37].”
From Dirofilaria infections in dogs in different areas of Greece (2016) · cites this paper as [37]
In two regions of Vojvodina (Pancevo and Veliko Gradiste), previously reported seroprevalence was 22.9% for D. immitis and presence of D. repens microfilariae was 39.34%.
“In two regions of Vojvodina (Pancevo and Veliko Gradiste), the previously reported seroprevalence was 22.9% for D. immitis and the presence of D. repens microfilariae was 39.34% (38).”
From Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia (2020) · cites this paper as [38]
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- Authors
- Tasić, A., Tasić-Otašević, S., Gabrielli, S., Miladinović-Tasić, N., Ignjatović, A., Đorđević, J., Dimitrijević, S., & Cancrini, G.
- Affiliations
- University of Nis (RS)
- Department of Medical Statistics, University of Nis, Faculty of Medicine, Nis, Serbia.
- Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
- University of Belgrade (RS)
- Corresponding author
- Cancrini, Gabriella
- Venue
- Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2012-12
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 12
- Pages
- 1031-1035
- ISSN
- 1530-3667 (ISSN-L)
- 1557-7759
- PMC
- PMC3525891
- OpenAlex
- W2018473121
- Cited by
- 31
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 2 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 1
- FWCI
- 1.77
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- Locations
- Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- IRIS Research product catalog (Sapienza University of Rome) (submittedVersion)
- Veterinar – Repository of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade (University of Belgrade, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- 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
- canine filariasis, Dirofilaria repens, Dirofilaria immitis, heartworm infection, dogs, seroprevalence, microfilariae, occult infection, phylogenetic analysis, mosquito vectors, Pančevo, Serbia
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Antibodies, Helminth, Antigens, Helminth, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Female, Humans, Male, Microfilariae, Phylogeny, Zoonoses, Seroepidemiologic Studies, Sequence Analysis, DNA, DNA, Helminth, Serbia, Dirofilaria repens
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