First report on clinical feline heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis ) infection in Romania
Open accessAbstract
Summary Dirofilaria immitis (Nematoda: Filarioidea) is the causative agent of heartworm disease (HWD), a severe and potentially fatal condition in dogs. Although cats are considered more resistant to infection than dogs, they are also susceptible to heartworm infection. Moreover, the clinical importance of feline dirofilariosis has increased in recent years, especially in heartworm endemic areas. In contrast to dog, definitive antemortem diagnosis of heartworm infection in cat is difficult to achieve and a combination of testing methods must be used for clinical confirmation. Here we describe a clinical case of heartworm infection in a 12-year-old male mixed breed cat, originated from Southern Romania, which was referred to a veterinary clinic with a history of vomiting and clinical signs of respiratory distress. The thoracic radiograph showed a diffuse bronchointerstitial pattern of the pulmonary parenchyma. The serological test for D. immitis circulating antibody was positive and heartworms were visualized by echocardiography in the main pulmonary artery. In conclusion, the present study clearly shows that cats are at risk for D. immitis infection in heartworm-endemic areas in Romania. Additionally, the findings highlight the urgent need for increased awareness among veterinary practitioners of the existence of feline heartworm diseases and for adequate prophylactic measures to be applied. To our knowledge, this is the first report on clinical evolution and radiographic and echocardiographic features of a naturally heartworm-infected cat in Romania.
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In Bulgaria and Romania, the first reports on feline heartworm infection are documented: in Bulgaria, a cat co-infected with Ae. abstrusus; in Romania, a cat from southern country.
“In Bulgaria and Romania, the first reports on feline heartworm infection are documented: in Bulgaria, a cat co-infected with Ae. abstrusus [131]; in Romania, a cat from Southern country [132].”
From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [132]
In contrast to dogs, adulticidal therapy is not recommended because FHWD self-cures in most cases within 18-48 months.
“In contrast to dogs, adulticidal therapy is not recommended because FHWD self-cures in most cases within 18–48 months.”
From First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
It is important to remove intact worms to avoid anaphylaxis.
“It is important to remove intact worms to avoid anaphylaxis.”
From First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
Sudden death in 20% of infected cats can be due to excessive inflammatory and thromboembolic response and is accompanied by haemothorax resulting from pulmonary artery dissection.
“Sudden death in 20% of infected cats can be due to excessive inflammatory and thromboembolic response and is accompanied by haemothorax resulting from pulmonary artery dissection [10,11,12,13].”
From First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
Surgical removal of the adult filariae can be performed in symptomatic cats.
“Surgical removal of the adult filariae can be performed in symptomatic cats.”
From First Autochthonous Infection of a Cat with Dirofilaria immitis in Austria (2021) · cites this paper as [12]
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- Authors
- Pană, D., Rădulescu, A., Mitrea, I. L., & Ionita, M.
- Affiliations
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases & Animal Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest , 105 Splaiul Independentei, 5 district, 050097 , Bucharest , Romania
- University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest (RO)
- Corresponding author
- Mitrea, I. L.
- ORCID
- Mitrea, I. L.
- Venue
- Helminthologia
- Publisher
- Walter de Gruyter GmbH
- Published
- 2020-01-25
- Volume
- 57
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 49-56
- ISSN
- 0440-6605 (ISSN-L)
- 1336-9083
- PMC
- PMC6996259
- OpenAlex
- W3002567059
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 28
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 0.33
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Helminthologia (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (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, feline heartworm disease, cats, heartworm infection, Romania, serological diagnosis, serum antibodies, echocardiographic detection, thoracic radiography, prophylaxis
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