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Cited by 43Parasitic Diseases Research and TreatmentHelminth infection and controlResearch on Leishmaniasis Studies

Dirofilaria immitis infection in the Pelagie archipelago: The southernmost hyperendemic focus in Europe

Open access
Brianti, Emanuele, Panarese, Rossella, Napoli, Ettore, De Benedetto, Giovanni, Gaglio, Gabriella, Bezerra‐Santos, Marcos Antônio, Mendoza‐Roldan, Jairo Alfonso, Otranto, Domenico·2022·Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
DOI 10.1111/tbed.14089
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Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-borne filarioids of zoonotic concern, which primarily cause canine heartworm disease (HWD) and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. The geographical distribution of these nematodes is constantly changing, due to many factors such as the colonization by new invasive mosquito species, the increased movement of animals and the absence of chemoprophylactic strategies in non-endemic regions. Although HWD has always been considered endemic in northern Italy, an increase in the prevalence of this disease has been recorded in the last decades in central and southern regions. We describe the southernmost hyperendemic European focus of heartworm disease in the Pelagie archipelagos. From June to November 2020, 157 dogs and 46 cats were sampled in Linosa and Lampedusa islands for the detection of Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens by modified Knott's, rapid antigen and molecular tests. Mosquitoes were collected using CDC light and BG sentinel-2 traps and aspirators, and tested for host blood meal and Dirofilaria spp. DNA. Out of 56 dogs in Linosa and 101 in Lampedusa, 33 (i.e. 58.9%) and 8 (i.e. 7.9%) were positive to D. immitis and D. repens, respectively. Three cats scored positive to D. immitis (i.e. 17.6%) in Linosa. Six mosquito species were identified, and the abdomen of a non-engorged Aedes albopictus was positive for D. immitis and human DNA. The results suggest that D. immitis infection could spread to new previously non-endemic territories in southern Europe, representing a real threat to animal and human health.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This study reports the southernmost European hyperendemic focus of canine heartworm disease on Linosa, Pelagie archipelago, with 58.9% of sampled dogs positive for *Dirofilaria immitis*. It also detected *D. immitis* DNA in a non-engorged *Aedes albopictus* mosquito that had fed on human blood, suggesting risk for animal and human health in southern Europe.

Key findings

  • Among 56 dogs in Linosa, 33 (58.9%, 95% CI 0.46–0.72) were positive for *D. immitis* by at least one diagnostic method; modified Knott’s detected 25 (44.6%) and SNAP 4Dx Plus detected 32 (57.1%). In Lampedusa, 8 of 101 dogs (7.9%, 95% CI 0.04–0.15) were positive for *D. repens* only.
  • Of 17 cats in Linosa, 3 (17.6%, 95% CI 0.05–0.42) were positive for *D. immitis* by qPCR; all cats in Lampedusa scored negative.
  • Mosquito sampling yielded 262 specimens belonging to six species; of 155 females, one non-engorged *Ae. albopictus* abdomen (0.6%) was positive for *D. immitis* DNA and human DNA. New mosquito species recorded for Linosa included *Culiseta annulata*, *Culex pipiens*, and *Aedes caspius*.
  • Dog prevalence did not differ by sex (males 61.8%, females 54.5%; OR = 1.35, p = 0.591); infected dogs were more than one year old (Linosa mean 6.6 years, SD = 3.31; Lampedusa mean 6.4 years, SD = 4.02), with more positives in older dogs but not statistically different (p = 0.0514).

Methods

  • Cross-sectional epidemiological survey conducted in Linosa and Lampedusa from June/July to November 2020; 157 dogs and 46 cats were sampled (56 dogs and 17 cats in Linosa; 101 dogs and 29 cats in Lampedusa). Blood was tested by modified Knott’s test, SNAP 4Dx Plus (dogs only), and duplex real-time PCR for *Dirofilaria* spp.
  • Mosquitoes were collected using CDC light traps, BG sentinel-2 traps, and aspirators; specimens were morphologically identified, females dissected into head+thorax and abdomen, and tested by qPCR for *D. immitis* and *D. repens*. A subset of engorged specimens (n = 9) was tested by cytochrome b cPCR and sequencing for blood-meal identification.
  • Data were analysed with Quantitative Parasitology 3.0; odds ratios were calculated at 95% CI, with p < 0.05 considered significant.

Limitations

  • The paper states that the low number of cats examined at Site A prevents a definitive conclusion, and that low circulating microfilariae may explain negative Knott’s results in cats and antigen-positive/Knott-negative dogs.
  • The paper states that few mosquito specimens were collected (n = 196) due to difficulties in dry ice supply and windy conditions, limiting conclusions; it also notes that the vectorial competence of the abundant *Ae. mariae* complex is unknown and requires further analyses.
  • Evident from the text: the study is cross-sectional with no previous Linosa data, diagnostic methods differed by host (SNAP only for dogs; Knott’s not performed for 18 Lampedusa cats), and the discussion’s mosquito count (n = 196) conflicts with Table 2’s total (n = 262).

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1111/tbed.14089

Cites

28 of 28 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 28 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Blood meals from humans, goats, sheep and rats were detected by sequencing in collected mosquitoes.

    “Blood from humans (n = 1, Aedes mariae complex; n = 1, Ae. albopictus), goat (n = 3, Ae.mariae complex; n = 1, Cx. pipiens), sheep (n = 1, Ae. mariae complex) and rats (n = 1, Ae. mariae complex; n = 1, Ae. albopictus) were detected by sequencing.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    In Linosa, 3 of 17 cats (17.6%, 95% CI 0.05-0.42) were positive for D. immitis by qPCR.

    “Finally, of 17 cats at Site A, 3 (i.e.17.6%; 95% CI: 0.05-0.42)were positive for D. immitis by qPCR”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The abdomen of one non-engorged Ae. albopictus mosquito (0.6%) scored positive for D. immitis DNA.

    “The abdomen of one specimen of a non-engorged Ae. albopictus mosquito (i.e.0.6%) scored positive for D. immitis DNA as well as for human DNA (100% nucleotide identity with Homo sapiens sequence, accession number, MK936800).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    Prevalence of D. immitis infection did not differ according to sex in dogs (males 61.8%, females 54.5%; OR=1.35, χ2=0.29; p=0.591).

    “Prevalence of infection did not differ according to sex (i.e.males n = 21; 61.8% and females n = 22; 54.5%; OR = 1.35, χ2 = 0.29; p = 0.591).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingown data

    The same non-engorged Ae. albopictus mosquito scored positive for human DNA with 100% nucleotide identity with Homo sapiens sequence (accession MK936800).

    “The abdomen of one specimen of a non-engorged Ae. albopictus mosquito (i.e.0.6%) scored positive for D. immitis DNA as well as for human DNA (100% nucleotide identity with Homo sapiens sequence, accession number, MK936800).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 18
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 17
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 3

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The qPCR confirmed the presence of D. immitis at Site A and D. repens at Site B.

    “The qPCR confirmed the presence of D. immitis at Site A and D. repens at Site B.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    The mosquitoes collected during the whole sampling period (n=262) belonged to six species.

    “The mosquitoes collected during the whole sampling period (n = 262) belonged to six species (Table 2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    There was a higher number of positive samples in the oldest dogs, although not statistically different (p=0.0514).

    “with a higher number of positive samples in the oldest dogs given the number of seasons of exposure to mosquitoes, although not statistically different (p = 0.0514).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    Of the female mosquitoes collected (n=155), 43 were engorged.

    “Of the females collected (n = 155), 43 were engorged.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In Lampedusa, 8 of 101 dogs (7.9%, 95% CI 0.04-0.15) tested positive for D. repens by Knott and molecular tests.

    “whereas from Site B, 8 (i.e.7.9%, 95% CI: 0.04-0.15)were positive only for D. repens to Knott and molecular tests”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Findingown data

    At both sites, infected dogs were more than one year old (Site A mean 6.6 years, SD=3.31; Site B mean 6.4 years, SD=4.02).

    “At both sites, infected dogs were more than one year old (i.e.Site A: mean 6.6 years; SD=3.31;Site B: mean 6.4 years; SD = 4.02)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In Linosa, 33 of 56 dogs (58.9%, 95% CI 0.46-0.72) tested positive for D. immitis at least by one diagnostic method.

    “Of the 56 dogs from Site A, 33 (i.e.58.9%, 95% CI: 0.46-0.72)tested positive for D. immitis at least by one diagnostic method”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In Site A, all dogs positive to Knott's test were also positive to the HW antigen test, except for a single dog, resulting in a concordance between the tests of 84% (95% CI 0.72-0.92).

    “In Site A, all dogs positive to Knott's test were also positive to the HW antigen test, except for a single dog, resulting in a concordance between the tests of 84% (95% CI: 0.72-0.92).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    In Lampedusa, all sampled cats scored negative for D. immitis.

    “while at Site B, all scored negative.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The epidemiology of Dirofilaria infection is strictly linked with the presence of the above mosquito species and animal reservoirs, as shown in Sicily where the majority of human cases in Trapani overlapped with high prevalence of SCD in dogs.

    “Therefore, the epidemiology of the infection is strictly linked with the presence of the above mosquito species and animal reservoirs as clearly shown in Sicily, where the majority of human cases in the province of Trapani overlapped with the high prevalence of SCD in dogs (Otranto et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Otranto et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    More than 70 mosquito species (genera Aedes/Ochlerotatus, Anopheles and Culex) are putative or competent vectors of Dirofilaria spp.

    “Although more than 70 mosquito species (i.e.genera Aedes/Ochlerotatus, Anopheles and Culex) are putative or competent vectors of Dirofilaria spp.(Eldridge & Edman, 2000)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Eldridge & Edman, 2000

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-borne filarioids with a worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate regions.

    “Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens (Spirurida, Onchocercidae), the causative agents of canine heartworm disease (HWD) and subcutaneous dirofilariosis (SCD), respectively, are mosquito-borne filarioids with a worldwide distribution in tropical and temperate regions (Dantas-Torres & Otranto, 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dantas-Torres & Otranto, 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Dogs are the principal source of human infections with Dirofilaria, which are usually caused by D. repens in Europe and D. immitis in the Americas.

    “Dogs are the principal source of human infections which are usually caused by D. repens in Europe and D. immitis in the Americas (Dantas-Torres & Otranto, 2013).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Dantas-Torres & Otranto, 2013

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus are mainly implicated in the transmission of Dirofilaria infection.

    “Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus are mainly implicated in the transmission of the infection (Otranto et al., 2009).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Otranto et al., 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductown data

    Due to the low number of cats examined at Site A, a definitive conclusion cannot be inferred.

    “However, due to the low number of cats examined at Site A, a definitive conclusion cannot be inferred.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Both Linosa and Lampedusa are, at different scale, closed environments with peculiar epidemiological favourable conditions for D. immitis infection with such a high prevalence.

    “Both sites are, at different scale, closed environments with peculiar epidemiological favourable conditions for D. immitis infection with such a high prevalence.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    With a prevalence of almost 59% of dogs positive for D. immitis, Linosa is the southernmost hyperendemic focus for HWD infection.

    “With a prevalence of almost 59% of dogs positive for D. immitis, Linosa is the southernmost hyperendemic focus for HWD infection”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Owners' reports of no travel history for sampled animals are accurate.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Data herein presented shows an increase in canine HW cases in previously non-endemic areas of the southern Mediterranean region, where veterinarians, physicians and pet owners are not aware of this parasitosis.

    “Data, herein presented, shows an increase in canine HW cases in previously non-endemic areas of the southern Mediterranean region, where veterinarians, physicians and pet owners are not aware of this parasitosis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    A hyperendemic focus of D. immitis infection was described in sheltered dogs from Apulia region (southern Italy) with an overall prevalence of infection of 44.2% at Knott's test, and up to 58.1% using the SNAP 4Dx Plus test.

    “Recently, a hyperendemic focus of D. immitis infection was described in sheltered dogs from Apulia region (southern Italy) with an overall prevalence of infection of 44.2% at Knott's test, and up to 58.1% using the SNAP 4Dx Plus test (Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020;Panarese, Iatta, Mendoza-Roldan, et al., 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Panarese, Iatta, Mendoza-Roldan, et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Some antigenic-positive dogs scored negative to the Knott's test could be explained by the low number of circulating microfilariae because of old adult nematodes or for a natural immunity developed by dogs exposed to continuous infections.

    “In the same way, the fact that some of the antigenic-positive dogs scored negative to the Knott's test could be explained by the low number of circulating microfilariae because of old adult nematodes (Borthakur et al., 2016) or for a natural immunity developed by dogs exposed to continuous infections (Stogdale, 1984).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Borthakur et al., 2016

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Stogdale, 1984

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The colonization by new invasive mosquito species, increased movement of animals across Italy, and lack of chemoprophylactic strategies in non-endemic regions have been proposed as the main drivers for the changing pattern of HWD.

    “The colonization by new invasive species of mosquitoes [i.e.Aedes albopictus (Stegomyia albopicta)], the increased movement of animals across the Country and the lack of adoption of chemoprophylactic strategies in non-endemic regions have been proposed as the main drivers for this changing pattern (Mendoza-Roldan et al., 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Mendoza-Roldan et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationcitation

    The absence of feline Dirofilaria spp. infection detected by modified Knott's method may be explained by the low number of circulating microfilariae.

    “The absence of feline Dirofilaria spp.infection detected by modified Knott's method may be explained by the low number of circulating mfs (Panarese, et al., 2021).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Panarese, et al., 2021

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The prevalence of D. immitis in mosquitoes in Linosa (0.6%) is slightly higher than that reported in northern Italy (0.057%) and lower than that in a shelter in Apulia region (2.2%).

    “This prevalence (0.6%) is slightly higher than that reported in northern Italy (0.057%; Latrofa et al., 2020), and lower than that in a shelter in Apulia region (2.2%;Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Latrofa et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The number of positive dogs obtained with the antigenic test was higher than that detected by modified Knott's test, due to the presence of amicrofilaraemic animals.

    “The number of positive dogs obtained with the antigenic test was higher than that detected by modified Knott's test, due to the presence of amicrofilaraemic animals.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    The prevalence of D. repens in Lampedusa (7.9%) is similar to that reported in other studies (1.5%-12%) but slightly lower than that of eastern European regions (7%-20%).

    “with a prevalence of infection similar to that reported in other studies (i.e.1.5%-12%; Capelli et al., 2018; 7%, Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020), but slightly lower than that of eastern European regions (i.e.7%-20%; Genchi & Kramer, 2017).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Capelli et al., 2018

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Panarese, Iatta, Latrofa, et al., 2020

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Genchi & Kramer, 2017

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Historically, HWD was considered endemic in northern Italy, in the Po river valley.

    “Historically, HWD was considered endemic in northern Italy, in the Po river valley (Capelli et al., 1996)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Capelli et al., 1996

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    The higher number of positive samples in oldest dogs is attributable to the number of seasons of exposure to mosquitoes.

    “with a higher number of positive samples in the oldest dogs given the number of seasons of exposure to mosquitoes, although not statistically different (p = 0.0514).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    These data are not definitive due to the few numbers of specimens collected (n=196) also due to the difficulties in dry ice supply and the windy conditions.

    “Again, these data are not definitive due to the few numbers of specimens collected (n = 196) also due to the difficulties in dry ice supply and the windy conditions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    All sampled animals were kept on the islands the year before due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and no history of travel was reported by the owners, except for 5 dogs from Linosa that were brought to Lampedusa for hunting activities or veterinary cares.

    “All the sampled animals were kept on the islands the year before due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, and no history of travel was reported by the owners, except for 5 dogs from Linosa that were brought to Lampedusa (i.e.27 miles away) for hunting activities or veterinary cares.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Owners' reports of no travel history for sampled animals are accurate.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Study design and conductcitation

    All mosquito specimens were identified using morphological keys.

    “All the specimens were identified using morphological keys (Becker et al., 2010;Severini et al., 2009)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Becker et al., 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Severini et al., 2009

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductnone given

    All DNA samples were tested in duplicate, and positive and negative controls were included in each qPCR run.

    “All DNA samples were tested in duplicate, and positive and negative controls were included in each qPCR run.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Despite no previous data available for Linosa Island, the evidence that D. immitis was not endemic in Sicilian territories can be inferred by the results of a large epidemiological study (n=2,512 dogs examined) in which from 0.2% to 1.4% D. immitis prevalence was diagnosed in dogs with a history of travelling.

    “Despite no previous data are available for Linosa Island, the evidence that D. immitis was not endemic in Sicilian territories can be inferred by the results of a large epidemiological study (n = 2,512 dogs examined) in which from 0.2% to 1.4% D. immitis prevalence was diagnosed in dogs with a history of travelling (Giannetto et al., 2007).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Giannetto et al., 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Study design and conductcitation

    The specificity of the qPCR assay was established by melting curve analysis as described in Latrofa et al. (2012).

    “The specificity of the qPCR assay was established by melting curve analysis as described in Latrofa et al. (2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Latrofa et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

33 of 33

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Owners' reports of no travel history for sampled animals are accurate.

    “no history of travel was reported by the owners, except for 5 dogs from Linosa that were brought to Lampedusa”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The D. immitis DNA detected in the abdomen of a non-engorged Ae. albopictus indicates that the mosquito was infected with D. immitis.

    “The abdomen of one specimen of a non-engorged Ae. albopictus mosquito (i.e.0.6%) scored positive for D. immitis DNA as well as for human DNA”
2 of 2

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • In Giglio and Sardinia, canine heartworm prevalence was 2.4% and 8.9%, respectively, and on Linosa and Lampedusa islands D. immitis was detected at 58.9%.

    “Finally, the prevalence in Giglio and Sardinia were 2.4 and 8.9%, respectively [29,39]. In addition, on the Linosa and Lampedusa islands, D. immitis was detected at 58.9% [40].”

    From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [40]

  • In Italy, feline heartworm studies are still scarce, and in the last decade studies showed a prevalence of 17.6% in Linosa.

    “In Italy, studies are still scarce. If previously, prevalence in cats was heterogeneous being 6.06–27% in the north and centre of the country, in addition to reports of isolated cases [4,9,123,124], in the last decade, studies in cats showed a prevalence of 17.6% in Linosa (an island halfway between the island of Sicily and the African coast of Tunisia) [40].”

    From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [40]

  • In Italy, culicid vectors of Dirofilaria have been demonstrated in different regions, including Cx. pipiens in north-eastern Italy, Ae. albopictus, Cq. richiardii, Cs. annulate, Cx. pipiens, and Och. caspius in southern Italy, and Ae. albopictus in Pelagie Archipelago.

    “In Italy, several studies have continued to demonstrate the existence of culicid vectors of Dirofilaria in different regions of the country, such as Cx. pipiens in north-eastern Italy [150], Ae. albopictus, Cq. richiardii, Cs. annulate, Cx. pipiens, and Och. caspius in southern Italy [34,151], and Ae. albopictus in Pelagie Archipelago [40].”

    From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [40]

  • Aedes albopictus was found to be highly infested with D. immitis (MIR = 3%, EIR = 3.8%).

    “Aedes albopictus was found to be highly infested with D. immitis (MIR = 3%, EIR = 3.8%), as shown previously [6, 15, 51].”

    From Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens in mosquitoes from Corsica Island, France (2021) · cites this paper as [51]

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Site B confidence interval has a conflicting lower bound

    Minor

    Table 1 prints the lower bound as 0.39, which also exceeds its upper bound of 0.15. The results give the lower bound as 0.04.

  • Reported percentage of female mosquitoes is incorrect

    Minor

    Using the table's reported totals, 155 of 262 mosquitoes is 59.2%, not 56.6%.

    Reported 56.6 · recomputed 59.160305

  • Female mosquito counts do not sum to the reported total

    Minor

    The female counts across the eight categories in Table 2 sum to 145, not 155.

    Reported 155 · recomputed 145

  • Lampedusa dog sampling percentage excludes stray dogs

    Minor

    The stated 15.8% is 101 out of 641 owned dogs, but the paper calls it a percentage of the whole dog population, which it says also includes 297 stray dogs.

4 of 4

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. European Society of Dirofilariosis and Angiostrongylosis (ESDA), Guidelines for clinical management of feline heartworm disease
  2. Giannetto S., 2007, Abstract book of the 1st European Dirofilaria days

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Authors
Brianti, E., Panarese, R., Napoli, E., De Benedetto, G., Gaglio, G., Bezerra‐Santos, M. A., Mendoza‐Roldan, J. A., & Otranto, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Messina (IT)
  • University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences University of Messina Messina Italy
  • Bu-Ali Sina University (IR)
Corresponding author
Otranto, Domenico
ORCID
Venue
Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-04-20
Volume
69
Issue
3
Pages
1274-1280
ISSN
  • 1865-1674 (ISSN-L)
  • 1865-1682
DOI
10.1111/tbed.14089
OpenAlex
W3147356508
Semantic Scholar
0b8defe5f9c2d0da567d2c468e61a58d52fdc02d
Cited by
43
References
28
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 8
FWCI
2.53
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Transboundary and Emerging Diseases (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro) (submittedVersion)
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, Dirofilaria repens, canine heartworm disease, Linosa, Lampedusa, Aedes albopictus, zoonotic filariasis, dogs, cats, invasive mosquito species
MeSH terms
Aedes, Animals, Cat Diseases, Cats, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Europe, Dirofilaria repens

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-09.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-09.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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