ArticleParasites & vectors2017
Molecular characterization of Dirofilaria spp. circulating in Portugal.
Article in Parasites & vectors, 2017. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 17 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
17 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 35 citations in OpenAlex.
- The prevalence of canine dirofilariasis in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Parasites & vectors · 2023Pooled it
- First molecular characterization ofFrontiers in cellular and infection microbiology · 2026Article
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- Molecular Discovery of Filarial Nematode DNA in an Endangered Wild Pinniped (Galapagos Sea Lion,Ecology and evolution · 2024Article
- Current State of CanineAnimals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2024Article
- First molecular characterization of Dirofilaria Immitis in Cuba.BMC veterinary research · 2023Article
- Microfilariae infection byJournal of advanced veterinary and animal research · 2023Article
- Current Risk of Dirofilariosis Transmission in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and the Balearic Islands (Spain) and Its Future Projection under Climate Change Scenarios.Animals : an open access journal from MDPI · 2023Article
- First study on microscopic and molecular detection ofVeterinary world · 2023Article
- First Report ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- Evidence ofPathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Article
- What Has Happened to Heartworm Disease in Europe in the Last 10 Years?Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- Molecular detection of zoonotic filarioids in Culex spp. from Portugal.Medical and veterinary entomology · 2021Article
- Heartworm disease - Overview, intervention, and industry perspective.International journal for parasitology. Drugs and drug resistance · 2021Review
- Haematological and biochemical abnormalities in hunting dogs infected with Acanthocheilonema reconditum, associated risk factors, and a European overview.Parasitology research · 2021Article
- Vector-borne nematode diseases in pets and humans in the Mediterranean Basin: An update.Veterinary world · 2019Review
- Exposure of humans to the zoonotic nematodeEpidemiology and infection · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundDirofilariosis is a potentially zoonotic parasitic disease, mainly transmitted by mosquito vectors in many parts of the world. Data concerning the canine Dirofilaria species currently circulating in Portugal is scarce. Thereby, a large-scale study was conducted to determine the Dirofilaria spp. present in Portugal, based on a molecular approach, and also to optimize a reliable and highly sensitive species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay that could be used for the simultaneous detection and differentiation of Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, and other concurrent filarial species in animal reservoirs.
methodsBlood samples were collected from three districts of Portugal (Coimbra, Santarém and Setúbal) between 2011 and 2013. Samples were tested using rapid immunomigration tests (Witness® Dirofilaria), modified Knott's technique and acid phosphatase histochemical staining. In addition, molecular analysis was performed by amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region using two different PCR protocols, specific for molecular screening of canine filarial species.
resultsOf the 878 dogs sampled, 8.8% (n = 77) were positive for D. immitis circulating antigen and 13.1% (n = 115) positive for microfilariae by the modified Knott's technique. Of the 134 samples tested by acid phosphatase histochemical staining, 100 (74.6%) were positive for D. immitis. Overall, 13.7% (n = 120) were positive by PCR for D. immitis by ITS2, of which 9.3% (67/720) were also positive by ITS1. ITS2 PCR was the most sensitive and specific method, capable of detecting mixed D. immitis and A. reconditum infections. Heterozygosity, in the form of double peaks, was detected by sequencing of both ITS regions. No D. repens was detected by any of the diagnostic methods.
conclusionsThe present study confirmed D. immitis as the dominant species of the genus Dirofilaria infecting Portuguese dogs, based on sequencing of ITS1 and ITS2 PCR fragments. Additionally, ITS2 PCR was the most adequate method for diagnosis and prevalence estimation.
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