Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal
Abstract Background Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic nematode endemic in the Mediterranean countries, which causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in wild and domestic animals. Despite being recognized hosts of D. immitis, wild carnivores such as wolves and foxes are frequently disregarded when con...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Parasites & Vectors |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05170-5 |
| _version_ | 1818005685032452096 |
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| author | Sónia Gomes-de-Sá Sérgio Santos-Silva Alícia de Sousa Moreira Patrícia Ferreira Barradas Irina Amorim Luís Cardoso João R. Mesquita |
| author_facet | Sónia Gomes-de-Sá Sérgio Santos-Silva Alícia de Sousa Moreira Patrícia Ferreira Barradas Irina Amorim Luís Cardoso João R. Mesquita |
| author_sort | Sónia Gomes-de-Sá |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic nematode endemic in the Mediterranean countries, which causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in wild and domestic animals. Despite being recognized hosts of D. immitis, wild carnivores such as wolves and foxes are frequently disregarded when considering a potential role in the transmission of these zoonotic nematodes. In Portugal, studies available regarding D. immitis circulation are scarce, likely underestimating its relevance. To add knowledge on this, we sought to assess Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from northern Portugal for D. immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia. Methods Blood samples from 42 Iberian wolves and 19 red foxes were collected, during 2010–2012, in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Antigenemia was searched for by rapid antigen detection test kits (Uranotest Dirofilaria ®). Microfilaremia was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleic acids were extracted from blood using QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), and DNA was screened for the presence of microfilaria using a conventional PCR targeting the 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer 2–28S regions, followed by bidirectional sequencing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results Three red foxes had antigenemia, with an occurrence of 15.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–39.6), while showing no evidence for the presence of microfilaremia. No wolf samples presented evidence for D. immitis antigenemia. Nevertheless, two wolves were positive for D. immitis microfilaremia (4.8%; 95% CI 0.6–16.2%) as revealed by PCR and confirmed by bidirectional sequencing. Conclusions Although Dirofilaria microfilaremia in wolves does not necessarily correlate to an endangerment of the infected animal's health, positive individuals can act as a reservoir for further infection if the intermediate mosquito hosts are present. To the best of our knowledge, one single study had reported that wolves were suitable Dirofilaria hosts, but microfilaremia have never been reported. Graphical Abstract |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T04:48:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a383e4dc17304049ad16ae8483280525 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1756-3305 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T04:48:26Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Parasites & Vectors |
| spelling | doaj.art-a383e4dc17304049ad16ae84832805252022-12-22T02:11:22ZengBMCParasites & Vectors1756-33052022-05-011511510.1186/s13071-022-05170-5Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from PortugalSónia Gomes-de-Sá0Sérgio Santos-Silva1Alícia de Sousa Moreira2Patrícia Ferreira Barradas3Irina Amorim4Luís Cardoso5João R. Mesquita6ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityDepartment of Veterinary Sciences and Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD)ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto UniversityAbstract Background Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic nematode endemic in the Mediterranean countries, which causes cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in wild and domestic animals. Despite being recognized hosts of D. immitis, wild carnivores such as wolves and foxes are frequently disregarded when considering a potential role in the transmission of these zoonotic nematodes. In Portugal, studies available regarding D. immitis circulation are scarce, likely underestimating its relevance. To add knowledge on this, we sought to assess Iberian wolves (Canis lupus signatus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from northern Portugal for D. immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia. Methods Blood samples from 42 Iberian wolves and 19 red foxes were collected, during 2010–2012, in Peneda-Gerês National Park. Antigenemia was searched for by rapid antigen detection test kits (Uranotest Dirofilaria ®). Microfilaremia was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Nucleic acids were extracted from blood using QIAamp® DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen), and DNA was screened for the presence of microfilaria using a conventional PCR targeting the 5.8S-internal transcribed spacer 2–28S regions, followed by bidirectional sequencing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis and phylogenetic analysis. Results Three red foxes had antigenemia, with an occurrence of 15.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–39.6), while showing no evidence for the presence of microfilaremia. No wolf samples presented evidence for D. immitis antigenemia. Nevertheless, two wolves were positive for D. immitis microfilaremia (4.8%; 95% CI 0.6–16.2%) as revealed by PCR and confirmed by bidirectional sequencing. Conclusions Although Dirofilaria microfilaremia in wolves does not necessarily correlate to an endangerment of the infected animal's health, positive individuals can act as a reservoir for further infection if the intermediate mosquito hosts are present. To the best of our knowledge, one single study had reported that wolves were suitable Dirofilaria hosts, but microfilaremia have never been reported. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05170-5Dirofilaria immitisFoxesWolvesPortugalWildlife |
| spellingShingle | Sónia Gomes-de-Sá Sérgio Santos-Silva Alícia de Sousa Moreira Patrícia Ferreira Barradas Irina Amorim Luís Cardoso João R. Mesquita Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal Parasites & Vectors Dirofilaria immitis Foxes Wolves Portugal Wildlife |
| title | Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal |
| title_full | Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal |
| title_fullStr | Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal |
| title_short | Dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in Iberian wolves and red foxes from Portugal |
| title_sort | dirofilaria immitis antigenemia and microfilaremia in iberian wolves and red foxes from portugal |
| topic | Dirofilaria immitis Foxes Wolves Portugal Wildlife |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-022-05170-5 |
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