Dirofilaria immitis infection in carnivores from Bulgaria: 2012–2013 update

May combine two claims.

Adult dirofilariae from dogs were the largest, followed by those from the jackal and the fox.

“The analysis of morphometric data of D. immitis obtained from three different host species (Table 2) demonstrated that adult dirofilariae from dogs were the largest followed by those from the jackal and the fox.”

May combine two claims.

Cats, martens, and wolves were uninfected with dirofilariids.

“The cats, martens, and wolves were uninfected with dirofilariids.”

May combine two claims. The quote only partly states this claim.

During 2012-2013 necropsies of 489 carnivores, adult Dirofilaria immitis were found in 160 animals, giving an overall prevalence of 32.72%.

“During the necropsies we found adult D. immitis in 160 of the animals i.e. the overall prevalence was 32.72%.”

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

Most of the infected wild animals were over one year old.

“Most of the infected wild animals were over one year old.”

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

The oesophagus was tube-like with a gradual extension from the anterior to the posterior end, and the nerve ring was situated around its anterior part.

“The oesophagus was tube-like with a gradual extension of its shape from the anterior to the posterior end, the nerve ring was situated around its anterior part (Fig. 3A).”

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

The spicule stems were duct-like with a spongiform structure; their proximal ends were broadened and distally they gradually narrowed.

“The spicule stems were duct-like of a spongiform structure.Their proximal ends were broadened and distally the spicule stems were gradually getting narrower.”

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

Small spicule wings were observed in the distal end of the spicules, differing in shape; the small spicule wing was oval and that of the large spicule was sharpened.

“Furthermore, small spicule wings were observed in the distal end of the spicules differing in shape.The small spicule wing was oval and this of the large spicula was sharpened (Fig. 4A).”

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

Adult D. immitis body length was between 14 and 17 cm for males and between 19 and 29 cm for females.

“Adult D. immitis were large, elongated, whitish worms with a body length between 14 and 17 cm for the males and 19 and 29 cm for the females.”

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

Post-cloacal papillae were of different size: one pair of middle size, one large pair, and several pairs of small papillae; the number of small ones varied between 4 and 10.

“Post-cloacal papillae were of different size: one pair of middle size, one large pair and several pairs of small papillae (Fig. 4B).The number of the small ones varied between 4 and 10.”

May combine two claims.

The infection intensity in domestic dogs varied between 1 and 34 specimens per animal, with a mean of 14.43.

“in the dogs -between 1 and 34 speci-”

• Also stated in: § Epidemiological and pathological data · plain

  “mens (14.43 mean)”

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

The distal ends of the spicules were different.

“The distal ends of the spicules were also different (Fig. 4A).”

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

The anus was near the tail tip without cuticular formations around it.

“The anus was near the tail tip also without cuticular formations around (Fig. 5B).”

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

Four pairs of large pre-cloacal papillae were observed.

“Four pairs of large pre-cloacal papillae were observed (Fig. 4B).”

May combine two claims.

The infection intensity in red foxes varied between 1 and 15 specimens per animal, with a mean of 4.79.

“in the foxes it was between 1 and 15 specimens (4.79 mean)”

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

The posterior end of female D. immitis was upright and that of males was spirally-curved.

“The posterior end of the females was upright and that of males -spirally-curved.”

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

The larvae had an oval anterior end and a sharpened posterior end without specific cuticular formations.

“The larvae were with an oval anterior end and a sharpened posterior one without specific cuticular formations.”

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

The spicules were of different size, one being nearly twice longer than the other.

“The spicules (Fig. 3B) were of different size, the one being nearly twice longer than the other.”

May combine two claims.

Microfilariae obtained from the jackal were the largest, followed by those from the fox and the dog.

“With regard to the length of the larvae, another fact was establishedthe microfilariae obtained from the jackal were the largest followed by those from the fox and the dog.”

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

The final parts of the spicule stems turned into sharp growths, which were rather marked in the large spicule.

“The final parts of the spicule stems turned into sharp growths which were rather marked in the large spicule.”

May combine two claims.

The infection intensity in golden jackals varied between 1 and 19 specimens per animal, with a mean of 4.1.

“The infection intensity in the jackals varied between 1 and 19 specimens in animal (4.1 mean)”

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

The age of the infected dogs varied between 6 and 10 years; 3 were stray dogs and 6 were domestic dogs.

“The age of the infected dogs varied between 6 and 10 years, 3 of them were stray dogs and the remaining 6 -domestic (dogs living in the yard or hunting dogs).”

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

The oral opening was terminally located and surrounded by some pairs of cephalic papillae.

“The oral opening was terminally located and surrounded by some pairs of cephalic papillae (Fig. 3A).”

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

The vulva opened in the anterior end of the body without any cuticular formations around it.

“The vulva was opened in the anterior end of the body without any cuticular formations around it (Fig. 5A).”

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

The lack of routine measures for disinsection additionally supports the increase in mosquito numbers.

“The lack of routine measures for disinsection additionally supports the increase in their number.”

May combine two claims.

The present study provides the first morphometric description of D. immitis in specimens from Bulgaria and the first ever in materials from golden jackals and red foxes.

“Besides, it provides the first morphometric description of the species in specimens from our country and the first one ever in materials from golden jackals and red foxes.”

• AssumptionRests on an assumption: There are no morphometric data about D. immitis in materials from golden jackals and red foxes.

Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

Climate changes, together with enhanced movement of dogs and people across Europe, have a direct relation to the increased geographical spread of dirofilariasis in recent years.

“We also suggest that the climate changes, together with the enhanced movement of dogs and people across Europe, have a direct relation to the increased geographical spread of dirofilariasis in the last years.”

May combine two claims.

D. immitis among canids in Bulgaria was more widespread than in Romania, where the prevalence of infection in domestic dogs was between 2.17% and 3.3%.

“The comparison of our results with those of the foreign literature shows that D. immitis among the canids in the country was more widespread than in Romania, where the prevalence of infection in domestic dogs was between 2.17 and 3.3% (Ciocan et al., 2010;Mircean et al., 2012).”

• cites Ciocan et al., 2010Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

• cites Mircean et al., 2012Not checked yet

  Not checked in the free run.

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

The higher prevalence in Bulgaria compared to Romania is logical because Romania is located north of Bulgaria and conditions for the development of intermediate hosts of dirofilariids are less favourable there.

“These data are logical in view of the fact that Romania is located to the north of Bulgaria and there the conditions for the development of intermediate hosts of dirofilariids are less favourable.”