GIS modeling for canine dirofilariosis risk assessment in central Italy
Open accessAbstract
A survey was conducted in an area of central Italy in order to study the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens in dogs. Blood samples were collected from 283 dogs and examined using a modified Knott's technique. In addition, in order to detect D. immitis occult infection, 203 serum samples were also analysed for D. immitis antigen detection. The results were analyzed in order to evaluate the behavioural and attitudinal risk factors. A geographical information system (GIS) for the study area was constructed, utilizing the following data layers: administrative boundaries, elevation, temperature, rainfall and humidity. Microfilariae were detected in 32 of the 283 dogs surveyed, constituting a total Dirofilaria prevalence of 11.3%. In particular, 20 dogs (7.1%) were positive for D. immitis and 12 dogs (4.2%) for D. repens microfilariae. One case of D. immitis occult infection was also detected. Choroplethic municipal maps were drawn within the GIS in order to display the distribution of each Dirofilaria species in the study area. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between Dirofilaria infection and animal attitude (hunting/truffle dogs showed a higher prevalence compared to guard/pet dogs). A higher prevalence was also recorded in 2 to 5-years old dogs. Furthermore a GIS-based modelling of climatic data, collected from 5 meteorological stations in the study area, was performed to estimate the yearly number of D. immitis generations in the mosquito vector. The results of the model as depicted by GIS analysis was highly concordant with the territorial distribution of positive dogs and showed that D. immitis spreading is markedly influenced by season. The potential transmission period in the study area was found to be confined to summer months with a peak in July and August, as expected for a temperate region where summer season is the most favourable period for the parasite.
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In Tuscany a prevalence of canine dirofilariasis of 12.5% was reported.
“In Tuscany a prevalence of canine dirofilariasis of 12.5% was reported (Mortarino et al., 2008; Magi et al., 2011).”
From Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and Their Vectors in Europe – New Distribution Trends (2012) · cites this paper as Mortarino et al., 2008
The Introduction identifies Arezzo province as the Tuscany portion of the study area. The Study cohort and parasitological findings section reports 3 positive dogs among 11 sampled in Arezzo (27.3%), not 12.5%; it does not report a Tuscany-wide prevalence. (LLM, conf=0.88)
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Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredIn Umbria (hilly central region), where only imported cases have been previously reported, the prevalence ranges between 5 and 15%.
“In Umbria (hilly central region), where only imported cases have been previously reported, the prevalence ranges between 5 and 15% (Piergilli-Fioretti et al., 2002, 2003; Genchi et al., 2005; Mortarino et al., 2008).”
From Heartworm Disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and Their Vectors in Europe – New Distribution Trends (2012) · cites this paper as Mortarino et al., 2008
The Introduction (page not available) says Umbria was considered uninfected apart from rare imported cases until 1999, but reports autochthonous foci beginning in 2000. Study cohort and parasitological findings (page not available) reports 10.7% positivity in sampled dogs from Perugia province, which falls within 5–15%, but does not establish that range for Umbria as a whole. (LLM, conf=0.88)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMortarino et al. estimated the annual number of D. immitis generations in mosquitoes and determined that transmission was limited to the summer months, mainly July and August.
“In addition, Mortarino et al. [27] estimated the annual number of D. immitis generations in mosquitoes and determined that transmission was limited to the summer months, mainly July and August.”
From What has happened to heartworm disease in Europe in the last 10 years? (2022) · cites this paper as [27]
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- Authors
- Mortarino, M., Musella, V., Costa, V., Genchi, C., Cringoli, G., & Rinaldi, L.
- Affiliations
- University of Milan (IT)
- Magna Graecia University (IT)
- University of Naples Federico II (IT)
- Venue
- Geospatial health
- Publisher
- PAGEPress Publications
- Published
- 2008-05-01
- Volume
- 2
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 253
- ISSN
- 1827-1987 (ISSN-L)
- 1970-7096
- OpenAlex
- W2098220190
- Cited by
- 33
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 2.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by-nc
- Locations
- Geospatial health (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- CNR SOLAR (Scientific Open-access Literature Archive and Repository) (University of Southampton) (acceptedVersion)
- 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
- canine dirofilariasis, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, dogs, prevalence, occult infection, risk factors, dog breeds, age, climatic factors, mosquito vectors, number of generations, seasonal transmission, central Italy
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Dirofilaria, Dirofilariasis, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Italy, Models, Theoretical, Surveys and Questionnaires, Cohort Studies, Risk Assessment, Geographic Information Systems
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