Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1989

In late November 1989, 1732 clinics and institutional veterinarians were sent a questionnaire to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis, and 51.7% responded. Of 247,716 dogs tested, 394 had D. immitis microfilariae and 51 were amicrofilaremic for a total of 445 cases and heartworm prevalence of 0.17%. Most (408) of these dogs had no preventive medication and the prevalence among dogs tested and unprotected was 1.01%. That prevalence was considerably higher in endemic areas. Thirty-seven dogs with heartworm had preventive medication. Heartworm was most frequent in companion dogs over three years of age maintained outdoors in rural areas. About 75% of the cases had never left Canada, 26% had clinical signs and 125 were not treated.

Heartworm was reported from British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, but 383 cases were in Ontario. South-western Ontario was the primary focus of infection. There were 33 cases in Quebec and 24 in Manitoba, mainly found in and around Metropolitan Montreal and Winnipeg respectively.

     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1987

In late November 1987, 1246 institutional veterinarians and small and mixed animal clinics across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in Canada in 1987, and 50% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 165,428 dogs were blood tested for heartworm disease and 511 dogs were found with D. immitis microfilariae. Another 78 dogs were amicrofilaremic but diagnosed with heartworm disease to give the total number of cases diagnosed in 1987 as 589 (0.35%).     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1984

In late December 1984, 1853 institutional veterinarians and small and mixed animal clinics across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in Canada in 1984 and 35% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 97,794 dogs were blood-tested to check for microfilariae and 1417 dogs (1.45% of those tested) were found with heartworm. Another 34 dogs were amicrofilaremic, but were diagnosed as having heartworm disease, to give the total number diagnosed in 1984 as 1451 (1.48%). Heartworm was reported from all provinces except Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland but most (1310) of the cases were in Ontario. In Quebec, 126 cases were reported mostly from west of Montreal.

Heartworm was found most frequently in companion dogs over three years of age maintained mainly outdoors in rural areas. About 27% of the cases were observed with clinical signs of heartworm disease and 72% had a history of not having left Canada. Southwestern Ontario continued to be the primary focus of the infection.

     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1985

In late December 1985, 1485 institutional veterinarians and small and mixed animal clinics across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in Canada in 1985 and 44% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 137,300 dogs were blood-tested to check for microfilariae and 1210 dogs were found with heartworm. Another 36 dogs were amicrofilaremic but diagnosed with heartworm disease to give the total number diagnosed in 1985 as 1247 (0.91%).

Heartworm was reported from all provinces except Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan but most (1126) of the cases were in Ontario. Southwestern Ontario continued to be the primary focus of the infection in Canada. From Quebec, 91 cases were reported mostly from and around Montreal. From Manitoba, 19 cases were reported from Winnipeg and surrounding areas. Heartworm was found most frequently in companion dogs over three years of age maintained mainly outdoors in rural areas. About 28% of the cases were observed with clinical signs of heartworm disease and 78% had a history of not having left Canada.

     

Serological update and molecular characterization of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs,South Korea

Eighty-one dogs in the Chungnam province were tested for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection by ELISA (SNAP test, IDEXX Laboratories, Maine, USA). Seventeen (20.9%) of the 81 samples were found to be positive and further analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing. In this study, all dogs tested lived outdoors. Using the χ² test and Fisher’s exact test, no significant differences in the prevalence of dirofilariasis were observed among different gender and age groups, although the prevalence of this disease among dogs 2–4 yrs of age remains highest. Sequence analysis revealed that the species prevalent in Chungnam province were genetically distinct from the type strain of D. immitis based on the nucleotide deletion found at position nt 276 (cytosine) and nucleotide substitution at position 428 (G to A) of the partial 16S rRNA sequence of the type strain. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis suggests at least 2 groups of D. immitis circulating in the Chungnam area between the year 2007 and 2008.     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1986

In late December 1986, 1224 institutional veterinarians and small and mixed animal clinics across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in Canada in 1986; 46% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 150,989 dogs were blood-tested for microfilariae and 869 dogs were found with heartworm. Another 65 dogs were amicrofilaremic but diagnosed with heartworm disease and one was found with heartworm at necropsy to give the total number diagnosed in 1986 as 935 (0.62%).

Heartworm was reported from Manitoba, New Brunswick, Ontario and Quebec, but most (810) of the cases were from Ontario. South-western Ontario continued to be the primary focus of the infection in Canada. There were 103 cases reported from Quebec, mostly from and around Montreal, and 21 cases from Manitoba, from Winnipeg and surrounding areas. Heartworm was found most frequently in companion dogs over three years of age maintained mainly outdoors in rural areas. About 33% of the cases were observed with clinical signs of heartworm disease and 81% had a history of not having left Canada.

     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1988

In late November 1988, 1581 small and mixed animal clinics and institutional veterinarians across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of Dirofilaria immitis in Canada in 1988, and 46% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 181,577 dogs were blood-tested for heartworm disease and 367 dogs were found with D. immitis microfilariae. Another 60 dogs were amicrofilaremic but diagnosed with heartworm disease to give the total number of cases diagnosed in 1988 as 441 (0.24%).     

Molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs,red foxes and golden jackals from Vojvodina,Serbia

Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis in dogs and other carnivores is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, while Dirofilaria repens usually causes a subcutaneous infection. The importance of red foxes and golden jackals in the epidemiology of dirofilariosis remains unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a cross-sectional molecular survey of Dirofilaria species in stray dogs, red foxes and golden jackals from the endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia, in order to determine and update data on their prevalence and provide insight into the epidemiological importance of wild canids.A total of 59 blood samples from stray dogs, 94 from red foxes and 32 from golden jackals were collected and screened by real-time PCR targeting a 115-bp fragment of the mitochondrial 12S gene of filarioids and by conventional PCR assay targeting a 484–524-bp fragment of 5.8S-ITS2-28S locus of filarioids.The cross-sectional molecular survey detected the filarioid mitochondrial 12S gene fragment in stray dogs (27.1 %), red foxes (8.5 %) and golden jackals (6.3 %) in the same endemic region of Vojvodina, Serbia. Only D. immitis was detected in stray dogs, while both D. immitis and D. repens were detected in populations of red foxes and golden jackals. These results outline a possible interaction of D. immitis infection between the dog population and the wild canid populations, while D. repens was found to circulate mostly in golden jackals and red foxes populations.     

The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Sydney

Four hundred and four dogs from 9 pounds in Sydney were examined for circulating microfilariae and antigens of Dirofilaria immitis. One hundred of these were also examined post mortem for adult heartworms. The prevalence of infection in the 404 dogs as shown by serology was 11.4%, and 5.9% had circulating microfilariae of D immitis. Adult heartworms were present in 15 of 100 dogs. Dipetalonema reconditum microfilariae were present in 3.7% of dogs. Dirofilariosis is still a common and important parasite of dogs in the Sydney region and chemoprophylaxis is recommended.     

Immunohistological observations on pulmonary tissues from dogs infected withDirofilaria immitis

Pulmonary tissues from non-infected dogs, naturallyDirofilaria immitis-infected dogs and experimentally infected puppies, selectively necropsied after infection, were assessed using peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) staining technology. Sequential sections of pulmonary tissue were PAP stained with anti-freshD. immitis serum, anti-paraffin processedD. immitis serum, anti-dog immunoglobulin (IgG, IgG Fc, IgM) sera and anti-dog complement (C₃) serum, and examined for antibody, complement and forD. immitis antigen. The extent of alveolar septal thickening was positively correlated with infection status. Cellular infiltration was most evident surrounding obstructed areas whereD. immitis werein situ. Antigenic material (microfilariae, eggs, fragmented filariae) labelled by PAP was identified in the pulmonary arteries, alveolar capillaries and alveolar septa. Deposits of complement and IgG, presumably associated with immune complex formation, were also observed in some of the infected dogs. Identification of antigen, antibodies and complement associated with alveolar septal pathology suggested that immune mechanisms were active in its development.Abbreviations FW fresh worm - PAP peroxidase-antiperoxidase - PW processed worm     

First molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) infection in dogs from Northern Algeria

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are mosquito-borne filarioid nematodes that affect dogs and other domestic and wild carnivores, causing heartworm disease and subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. In Algeria, the data about the epidemiology of these infections is largely unknown. The present study was designed to establish the occurrence of D. immitis and D. repens in dogs in Algeria using molecular tools.In 2014 and 2015, a total of 209 dogs over one year of age of different breed and sex, living in Northern Algeria, were examined and blood samples were collected from each dog. The presence of D. immitis and D. repens in these samples was detected by real-time PCR followed by standard PCR and sequencing. Overall, the blood of 209 dogs from two departments was collected and only 3 (1.4%) of the blood samples were found positive for D. immitis DNA. Sequencing of the corresponding amplicon displayed a 99.8% identity to D. immitis, confirming the presence of this mosquito-borne nematode in Algeria. Furthermore, all tested samples were negative for D. repens.     

THE PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS AND OTHER PARASITES IN URBAN POUND DOGS IN NORTH-EASTERN VICTORIA

SUMMARY The results of a survey investigating the prevalence of dirofilaria immitis and other helminth and protozoan infections in urban dogs in north-eastern Victoria are presented. D. immitis was detected in 2.7% of the general population (8.3% of dogs older than 2 years). Microfilariae of D. immitis were not detected in the peripheral circulation of 30% of dogs infected with the adult parasites. The most prevalent gastro-intestinal parasites were Dipylidium caninum 57%; Trichuris vulpis 41%; Toxocara canis 38%; and Uncinaria stenocephala 26%. The prevalence of T. canis in dogs less than one year of age was 73% and this decreased with increasing age. No Echinococcus granulosus adults were detected. Sarcocystis spp and Isospora ohioensis were the most commonly seen coccidians.     

Serological status of Canadian cattle for brucellosis,anaplasmosis, and bluetongue in 2007–2008

A national bovine serological survey was conducted to confirm that the prevalence of brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis does not exceed 0.02% (95% confidence) in live cattle in Canada. Sampling consisted of a systematic random sample of 15 482 adult cattle slaughtered in federally inspected abattoirs, stratified by province. Samples were tested to detect antibodies for brucellosis, bluetongue, and anaplasmosis. All samples were negative for brucellosis. Three samples were seroreactors to bluetongue, 2 of which originated from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia and 1 from Ontario, which after follow-up, was considered an atypical result. A total of 244 samples were seroreactors to Anaplasma and follow-up identified infection in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Quebec. In conclusion, the Canadian cattle population remains free of brucellosis and free of bluetongue outside the Okanagan Valley. Canada is no longer free of anaplasmosis and will be unable to claim freedom until eradication measures are completed.     

Heartworm in dogs in Canada in 1983

In late December 1983, 2 800 veterinarians across Canada were sent a questionnaire in order to assess the status of heartworm disease in Canada in 1983 and 26% of them responded. Veterinarians reported that 59 504 dogs were blood-tested to check for microfilariae and 771 dogs (1.30% of those tested) were found with Dirofilaria immitis. Heartworm disease was diagnosed in all provinces except New Brunswick and Newfoundland but most (733) of the cases were in Ontario.

Heartworm disease was found most frequently in companion dogs over three years of age maintained mainly outdoors in rural areas. About 31% of the cases were observed with clinical signs of heartworm disease and 64% had a history of not having left Canada. Southwestern Ontario continues to be the focus of the infection and most of the dogs there had not left the province previously.

     

The incidence of canine haematozoa in peninsular Malaysia

In 3 urban areas in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia between 1973 and 1981, blood from 4080 dogs was examined for haematozoa. The following frequencies were found: Babesia gibsoni 17.7%; microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis 9.6%; Hepatozoon canis 1.2%; B. canis 1.1%; Ehrlichia canis 0.2%; Trypanosoma evansi 0.1%. A detailed examination of B. gibsoni infections and microfilariasis due to D. immitis with regards to monthly distribution, breed frequency, sex and age, revealed that pedigree and non-pedigree dogs were equally susceptible to Babesia and microfilariae infections.     

Brucellosis in Moose (Alces alces). A Serological Survey in an Open Range Cattle Area of North Central British Columbia Recently Infected with Bovine Brucellosis

A serological survey for Brucella abortus antibodies in mature cow moose (Alces alces) was made in an area of northcentral British Columbia which recently had been heavily infected with bovine brucellosis and in which there was considerable intermixing of moose and range cattle. No evidence of Brucella infection was found in the moose tested and it was concluded that they were probably not of great significance in the epidemiology of bovine brucellosis in the study area and were therefore unlikely to have hindered attempts to eradicate brucellosis from the cattle in that area.     

Antimicrobial resistance and recovery of Salmonella,Campylobacter, and Escherichia coli from chicken egg layer flocks in Canadian sentinel surveillance sites using 2 types of sample matrices

Eggs are important to the diet of Canadians. This product is one of the supply-managed commodities in Canada, but unlike other commodities, where food safety risks are extensively explored and reported, information on the prevalence of enteric organisms (e.g., Salmonella, Campylobacter) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in layers in Canada are limited. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of select bacteria and the associated AMR patterns in layer flocks using 2 sample matrices. Farms were located within FoodNet Canada and the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance sentinel sites (SS). Fecal samples (Ontario: ON_SS1a, ON_SS1b) and environmental sponge swabs (British Columbia: BC_SS2a) were collected. Salmonella prevalence was 29% and 8% in ON_SS1a and ON_SS1b, respectively, and 7% in BC_SS2a. S. Kentucky and S. Livingstone were the most frequently isolated serovars and no S. Enteritidis was detected. Campylobacter was not detected in the BC sponge swabs but was isolated from 89% and 53% of Ontario fecal samples (ON_SS1a and ON_SS1b, respectively). Seven C. jejuni from Ontario were ciprofloxacin-resistant. Escherichia coli prevalence was high in both sample types (98%). Overall, tetracycline resistance among E. coli ranged from 26% to 69%. Resistance to ceftiofur (n = 2 isolates) and gentamicin (n = 2) was relatively low. There were diverse resistance patterns (excludes susceptible isolates) observed among E. coli in Ontario (10 patterns) and British Columbia (14 patterns). This study revealed that fecal samples are more informative for farm-level monitoring of pathogen and AMR prevalence. Without further validation, sponge swabs are limited in their utility for Campylobacter detection and thus, for public health surveillance.     

Spatial distribution of seroprevalence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Washington, Oregon, and California

Background: In the US little spatially defined information regarding exposure to most vector‐borne pathogens in dogs is available for the states of California (CA), Oregon (OR), and Washington (WA). Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of seroprevalence for 4 vector‐borne pathogens, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi, Ehrlichia canis, and Dirofilaria immitis, across the 3 western coastal states of the contiguous United States that extend from the northern Mexican to the southern Canadian border. Methods: A convenience sample, targeting blood from 20 pet dogs per county across CA, OR, and WA, was evaluated using a canine point‐of‐care ELISA kit. Geographic coordinates of home zip code were displayed using a geographic information system. A total of 2431 dogs from CA, OR, and WA were tested. Results: The overall seroprevalence was highest for A. phagocytophilum (2.4%), followed by B. burgdorferi (1.2%), and E. canis (0.7%). The prevalence of infection with D. immitis was 0.7%. At the individual dog level, there was a significant association between seropositivity to B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum (odds ratio=18.7, 95% confidence interval=6.8–47.1). For most positive results, prevalence tended to decrease with increasing latitude; thus, the highest rates of seropositivity occurred in CA, followed by OR, and then WA; one exception was seropositivity for B. burgdorferi, which was higher in WA (0.38%) than in OR (0.15%), but considerably lower than in CA (2.00%). In WA, dogs that tested positive for A. phagocytophilum, E. canis, and B. burgdorferi were in the southern Puget Sound area. For D. immitis, none of the dogs in WA was positive. Conclusions: Seropositivity for vector‐borne pathogens is broadly but patchily distributed in dogs in CA, OR, and WA.