Dirofilaria immitis in canines of middle Sinú: a potential risk for public health

Abstract

Introduction: Dirofilaria immitis, is a worldwide distribution parasite that causes progressive cardiopulmonary disease in dogs, it is located in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle and produces endothelial injury and pneumonia. It is transmitted by mosquito bites to canines, but it may be found in a variety of mammals, including humans living in endemic areas, which turns it into a zoonosis. The infection has been reported in different Colombian regions.

Objective: To determine antibodies against D. immitis in dogs of Cereté, Ciénaga de Oro, and San Carlos, municipalities of middle Sinú (Córdoba).

Materials and methods: Blood samples of 105 crossbreed dogs were collected from the urban areas of these municipalities in order to conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study and stratified sampling. Antibody to Dirofilaria immitis was measured through the implementation of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Descriptive analysis and Chi-square were used to determine whether there were significant differences with respect to D. immitisseropositivity and the parameters investigated (age, race and geographic region of origin).

Results: The seroprevalence to D. immitis was 5.7%, and the antibodies were detected in the municipalities evaluated. No statistically significant differences were observed between the seropositivity of different age groups, races, sexes, and municipalities.

Conclusions: The presence of circulating antibodies of Vectors and hosts involved in the transmission may represent a potential public health risk in which humans can act as aberrant hosts.