First cases of canine dirofilariosis in Slovakia: a case report

Dogs from two locations in West Slovakia suspected to have dirofilariosis were tested with the help of microfilariae detection, histochemical identification of microfilaria species and Dirofilaria immitis specific antigen detection in the blood serum. Six out of the group of 15 dogs from Bratislava region were found positive with Dirofilaria repens microfilariae. In the second location situated farther to the south, near Komarno, 6 out of 7 dogs were found positive with D. repens microfilariae and 2 with D. immitis. Serological detection of D. immitis antigen was positive in 3 cases among the dogs from this region, 2 of which were found positive with D. immitis microfilariae simultaneously with D. repens. The infection was asymptomatic in all of the dogs included in the trial.

[1]  V. Svobodová,et al.  The potential risk of Dirofilaria immitis becoming established in the Czech Republic by imported dogs. , 2005, Veterinary parasitology.

[2]  A. Ridyard Heartworm and lungworm in dogs and cats in the UK , 2005, In Practice.

[3]  C. Genchi,et al.  Recent advances in heartworm disease. , 2004, Veterinary parasitology.

[4]  W. Tarello Dermatitis associated with Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens microfilariae in dogs from central Italy. , 2002, Acta veterinaria Hungarica.

[5]  C. H. Courtney,et al.  Relationship between microfilaria count and sensitivity of the direct smear for diagnosis of canine dirofilariosis. , 2001, Veterinary parasitology.

[6]  Zoltán Kátai,et al.  Autochton Dirofilaria repens fertozöttség kutyákban , 1999 .

[7]  G. Elek,et al.  Human Dirofilaria repens infection in Hungary: a case in the spermatic cord and a review of the literature. , 1999, Acta veterinaria Hungarica.

[8]  Greg Russell Microbial and Parasitic Diseases of the Dog and Cat , 1998 .

[9]  J. Alger,et al.  Subcutaneous dirofilariasis: single inoculum, multiple worms. , 1997, The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene.

[10]  J. Georgi,et al.  Canine Clinical Parasitology , 1991 .

[11]  P. Boreham,et al.  Dirofilaria Sp.: Taxonomy and Distribution , 1988 .

[12]  P. Boreham,et al.  Dipetalonema reconditum in dogs with microfilaraemia. , 1985, Australian veterinary journal.

[13]  L. Chalifoux,et al.  Histochemical differentiation of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum. , 1971, Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

[14]  J. Knott A method for making microfilarial surveys on day blood , 1939 .