TDK conference 2017

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are widely distributed zoonotic parasites worldwide, occurring most oftenly in dogs. These nematode species which are transmitted by mosquitoes as biological vectors can also rarely infect other species like cats, wild carnivores, even humans. The occurrence of D. repens causing cutan dirofilariosis has been present in Hungary for decades. However, the autochthonous infection caused by heartworm, D. immitis has only been reported in Hungary since 2009. Since that time dogs infected with D. immitis have been found in several parts of the country, but we have not known yet whether the dogs infected with one or both parasite species occur countrywide or not. The goal of the study was to get new data about the geographical occurrance of these nematode species with parasitological, serological and molecular biological examinations of blood samples collected from randomly selected, older than one year dogs.

In the past six months blood samples with data were collected from 305 dogs in 165 locations of 19 counties (6 - 68 samples/county), except for Budapest. First, microfilariae were examined with the modified Knott’s technique which were found in 52 samples (17,05%). DiroCHEK® test kit (Zoetis) was used for detecting D. immitis antigen in all samples. All the seropositive (47) and 8 (out of 22) Knott positive but seronegative samples were further studied with two PCR methods.

Dirofilaria immitis occurred in 27 (8.85%) and Dirofilaria repens in 35 (11.48%) samples. Seven animals (2,29%) were found to be infected with both nematode species. The dogs infected with heartworms and D. repens lived 24 and 27 locations of 10 and 14 counties, respectively. Dogs with doubled parasitic infections occurred in 7 locations of 6 counties.

In the past six months blood samples with data were collected from 305 dogs in 165 locations of 19 counties (6 - 68 samples/county), except for Budapest. First, microfilariae were examined with the modified Knott’s technique which were found in 52 samples (17,05%). DiroCHEK® test kit (Zoetis) was used for detecting D. immitis antigen in all samples. All the seropositive (47) and 8 (out of 22) Knott positive but seronegative samples were further studied with two PCR methods.

Dirofilaria immitis occurred in 20 (6,56%) and Dirofilaria repens in 28 (9,18%) samples. Seven animals (2,29%) were found to be infected with both nematode species. The dogs infected with heartworms and D. repens lived 18 and 21 locations of 8 and 10 counties, respectively. Dogs with doubled parasitic infections occurred in 7 locations of 6 counties.