Cited by 177Research on Leishmaniasis StudiesParasitic Diseases Research and TreatmentVector-borne infectious diseases

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 54 of the 56 references it cites were found in a registry or an index; none of the 49 sources its claims cite is checked for support yet.

Changing distribution patterns of canine vector borne diseases in Italy: leishmaniosis vs. dirofilariosis

Open access
Otranto, Domenico, Capelli, Gioia, Genchi, Claudio·2009·Parasites & Vectors

Abstract

Ecological and climatic changes, human and animal population dynamics are among the several factors that have favoured the spread or the (re)introduction and establishment of "novel" vector species and pathogens they transmit in previously disease-free geographical areas. As key examples of the changing pattern of distribution of canine vector borne diseases (CVBDs), the current distribution of canine leishmaniosis (CanL) by Leishmania infantum and dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis causing heart worm disease (HW) in Italy is discussed on the basis of retrospective historical reports until the 90's and later on until 2009. For long time, D. immitis has been considered mainly present along the Po River Valley and northward areas, while L. infantum in south-central Italy and Sicily and Sardinia. Comparison of current available and historical data (up to 1989) confirms that HW and CanL, although with different prevalence rates, have been changing their distribution patterns in Italy as a result of many biological and ecological factors, including those related to vector distribution and introduction of new species (e.g. the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus, a competent vector of D. immitis). New autochthonous foci of HW in southern Italy (i.e. Apulia and Calabria regions) have recently been reported.Although analysing retrospective data may represent a difficult task, the "paradigm" about the dual distribution of HW and CanL in northern and southern Italy cannot yet be considered valid. The research needs for managing HW and CanL in previously uninfected areas are discussed.

Overview

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review compares historical (up to the 1990s) and contemporary (to 2009) distributions of canine heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and canine leishmaniosis (Leishmania infantum) in Italy, arguing that the traditional north–south duality no longer holds. It reports new autochthonous heartworm foci in southern Italy and northward expansion of leishmaniosis, linked to changing vector distributions.

Key findings

  • The historical pattern was “dual”: D. immitis mainly along the Po River Valley and northward areas, while L. infantum was in south-central Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. A 1986 review/questionnaire defined 50% of northern provinces and only 15% of central and southern provinces as infected by D. immitis.
  • D. immitis has expanded: it is now endemic in central regions (Tuscany, Umbria) with prevalences of 1–21%; Tuscany showed a more than 7-fold prevalence increase in 10 years; Sardinia reached peaks up to 17%; and new autochthonous foci were reported in Apulia and Calabria. In a 2005–2008 survey of 1,447 autochthonous dogs in southern Italy, 20 dogs were positive (1.61%), including 18 for D. immitis and 2 for D. repens; site positivity was 0.24%, 0.23%, 2.57%, and 3.43%.
  • CanL has spread northward: until the 1990s it was sporadic in northern regions and mainly linked to travel; 7 autochthonous foci were retrospectively identified from 1990–2002, and later investigations identified 16 possible new foci across northern regions with low cumulative prevalence (2.1%). In southern endemic regions, serologically positive animals reached up to 53.1%.
  • Aedes albopictus, introduced in 1990, is a competent vector of D. immitis and D. repens and likely contributed to the changing distribution of dirofilariosis.

Methods

  • Narrative review/discussion comparing retrospective historical reports until the 1990s with current available data until 2009 on canine vector-borne disease distribution in Italy, including prevalence reports and vector records.
  • Included a recent southern Italy survey from January 2005 to January 2008: 1,447 autochthonous dogs from four areas in Apulia and Calabria were sampled; serum was tested for D. immitis antigen, and blood from two sites was examined by modified Knott method for microfilariae.
  • Main analysis was descriptive comparison of historical versus current distribution and prevalence, plus discussion of vector species and ecological factors; no formal meta-analysis is stated.

Limitations

  • Stated: retrospective data analysis is difficult because of problems retrieving local reports published in national journals and differences in diagnostic tools and methodologies across surveys.
  • Stated: epidemiological data on D. immitis in southern Italy are scant and limited to sporadic case reports.
  • Evident: the review relies on heterogeneous published reports and foci maps rather than standardized nationwide surveillance, and the paper itself notes improved diagnostics and higher researcher/practitioner awareness as factors that may affect apparent distribution changes.

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

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1186/1756-3305-2-s1-s2

Cites

54 of 54 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Figures

Figure 1 Adult Dirofilaria immitis in the heart of a dog. Dirofilaria immitis adult worms at the dissection of a heart of a dog.
Figure 1 Adult Dirofilaria immitis in the heart of a dog. Dirofilaria immitis adult worms at the dissection of a heart of a dog.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 2 Dog showing severe clinical signs of leishmaniosis. A dog from southern Italy positive for Leishmania infantum both at the parasitological and serological tests presenting poor general conditions.
Figure 2 Dog showing severe clinical signs of leishmaniosis. A dog from southern Italy positive for Leishmania infantum both at the parasitological and serological tests presenting poor general conditions.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 3 Current distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in Italy. Foci of canine dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis until the 1990s in the endemic area of the Po Valley (blue dots) and outside the endemic area (blue pushpin). New foci (red pushpin) reported in non-endemic areas after the 1990s until 2009.
Figure 3 Current distribution of Dirofilaria immitis in Italy. Foci of canine dirofilariosis by Dirofilaria immitis until the 1990s in the endemic area of the Po Valley (blue dots) and outside the endemic area (blue pushpin). New foci (red pushpin) reported in non-endemic areas after the 1990s until 2009.CC BY · PubMed Central
Figure 4 Current distribution of Leishmania infantum in Italy before and after 1989. Foci of canine leishmaniosis until the 1990s (yellow pushpin) in endemic regions of central and southern Italy (no autochthonous cases in northern regions were reported). New foci (red pushpin) in non-endemic areas after the 1990s until 2009 based on the report of autochthonous infected dogs and concomitant presence of competent sandflies.
Figure 4 Current distribution of Leishmania infantum in Italy before and after 1989. Foci of canine leishmaniosis until the 1990s (yellow pushpin) in endemic regions of central and southern Italy (no autochthonous cases in northern regions were reported). New foci (red pushpin) in non-endemic areas after the 1990s until 2009 based on the report of autochthonous infected dogs and concomitant presence of competent sandflies.CC BY · PubMed Central

Verification

Claims the paper makes

36 Not checked yet · 6 Own interpretation

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Show all 23 claims

  • It may state two separate claims as one. 18
  • Probably not a substantial claim. 1
19 of 19
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Historical and current data on canine vector borne disease distribution in Italy are comparable enough to allow valid conclusions about changes in distribution patterns, despite differences in diagnostic tools and methodologies.

    “Thus, despite the complexity in analysing retrospective data (e.g. difficulties in retrieving local reports published on national journals, differences in diagnostic tools and methodologies employed in different surveys), the”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Vector competence established under experimental and field conditions reflects the natural role of Aedes albopictus in transmitting Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens.

    “The spread of Ae. albopictus populations, coupled with its proven role as a suitable biological vector of both D. repens and D. immitis under experimental and field conditions [32,50-52], may further account for the current wide distribution of dirofilarioses.”
2 of 2

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Citations

Cites

Show all 56 references

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Genchi C Di Sacco B Cancrini G Soll MD Epizootiology of canine and feline heartworm infection in Northern Italy: possible mosquito vectors Proceedings of the American Heartworm Symposium 1992 1992 Batavia, IL: American Heartworm Society 39 46
  2. Genchi C Simon F Kramer LH Dirofilariasis in humans: is it a real zoonotic concern? Proceedings of the 30th World Congress of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association; 11–14 May 2005; Mexico City
  3. Paoletti B Traversa D Guglielmini C Iorio R Bazzocchi C Pampurini F Boari A Lombardo Autochthonous canine dirofilariosis in Abruzzo region of central Italy Proceedings of the Congress of the Italian Society of Parasitology: 18–21 June 2008; Pisa
  4. Otranto D Lia RP Testini G Britti D Puntorieri EP Genchi C Lombardo Autochthonous cases of canine dirofilariosis in Southern Italy Proceedings of the Congress of the Italian Society of Parasitology: 18–21 June 2008; Pisa 2008
  5. Schönian G Mauricio I Gramiccia M Cañavate C Boelaert M Dujardin JC Leishmaniases in the Mediterranean in the era of molecular epidemiology Trends Parasitol 2008 24 135 142 18262469

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Metadata

Authors
Otranto, D., Capelli, G., & Genchi, C.
Affiliations
  • University of Bari Aldo Moro (IT)
  • Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IT)
  • University of Milan (IT)
Corresponding author
Otranto, Domenico
Venue
Parasites & Vectors
Published
2009
Volume
2
Issue
Suppl 1
Pages
S2
ISSN
1756-3305 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2020785604
Cited by
177
References
56
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 13 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 12
Type
conference abstract
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Parasites & Vectors (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (University of Bari Aldo Moro) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Bayer Animal Health
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Research on Leishmaniasis Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Infectious Diseases › Parasitic Diseases Research and Treatment
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Parasitology › Vector-borne infectious diseases
Keywords
canine leishmaniasis, canine dirofilariasis, heartworm disease, Leishmania infantum, Dirofilaria immitis, disease distribution, Aedes albopictus, climate change, Italy

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