Dirofilaria immitis in wolves recolonizing northern Italy: Are wolves competent hosts?
Open accessAbstract
BACKGROUND: Wild carnivores such as the grey wolf (Canis lupus), red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackal (Canis aureus) are recognized hosts of Dirofilaria immitis. However, few studies have focused on their actual role in the epidemiology of heartworm infection. This study describes the prevalence and distribution of D. immitis in wolves in a heartworm-endemic area in northern Italy where wolves have recently returned after long-time eradication, and investigates the fertility status of the collected adult nematodes. METHODS: In the frame of a long-term wolf monitoring programme in northwestern Italy, 210 wolf carcasses from four provinces were inspected for the presence of filarioid nematodes in the right heart and pulmonary arteries. Female heartworms were measured, and their uterine content analyzed according to a previously described "embryogram" technique. RESULTS: Three wolves, all originating from a single province (Alessandria), were positive for D. immitis (1.42%, 95% CI: 0.48-4.11%, in the whole study area; 13.6%, 95% CI: 4.7-33.3%, limited to the single province from which infected wolves originated). Mean intensity was 5 worms (range: 3-7) and the female worms measured 21-28 cm in length. Six out of 9 female worms harbored uterine microfilariae: 5 were classified as gravid; 1 showed a "discontinuous gradient"; and 3 were non-gravid. CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that heartworm infection is already prevalent in wolves that have recolonized the known heartworm-endemic area. Based on "embryogram" results, wolves were shown suitable heartworm hosts. Interestingly, investigated wolves appeared similarly exposed to heartworm infection as sympatric unprotected dogs (owned dogs that have never received any heartworm prevention treatment) sampled at the beginning of the wolf return process.
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In Italy, prevalence observed in wolves was 13.6%, with three to five adult worms in most cases, and another study in northern Italy found heartworms in 1.42% of wolves studied.
“In Italy, the prevalence observed in wolves was 13.6%, finding from three to five adult worms in most cases. Another study in northern Italy found heartworms in 1.42% of the wolves studied [143].”
From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [143]
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What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years?
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Self-citation
- Authors
- Moroni, B., Rossi, L., Meneguz, P. G., Orusa, R., Zoppi, S., Robetto, S., Marucco, F., & Tizzani, P.
- Affiliations
- University of Turin (IT)
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte Liguria e Valle d'Aosta (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Tizzani, Paolo
- ORCID
- Venue
- Parasites & Vectors
- Published
- 2020-09-22
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 482-482
- ISSN
- 1756-3305 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC7507288
- OpenAlex
- W3088663255
- Cited by
- 41
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 4 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 17
- FWCI
- 0.95
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Parasites & Vectors (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Institutional Research Information System University of Turin (University of Turin) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- 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, grey wolf, wolf, wolf recolonization, filarioid nematodes, wild carnivores, Northern Italy
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Animals, Wild, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilariasis, Female, Foxes, Italy, Male, Microfilariae, Wolves, Host Specificity
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