Dataset Information

Diversity of Cercopithifilaria species in dogs from Portugal.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Filarioids belonging to the genus Cercopithifilaria (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) have been described in dogs in association with Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks, which act as their biological vectors. This study represents the first investigation on Cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs from Portugal. FINDINGS: Dogs (n=102) from the Algarve region (south of Portugal) were sampled by skin snip collection and tissues were left to soak overnight in saline solution. Sediments were observed under a light microscope and the detected microfilariae identified according to their morphology. Twenty-four dogs (23.5%) were found infected with at least one species of Cercopithifilaria, namely C. bainae (9.8%), C. grassii (3.9%) and Cercopithifilaria sp. II sensu Otranto et al., 2013 (13.7%). Results were confirmed by molecular amplification of partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I and 12S rRNA genes and sequence analysis. Co-infections with more than one Cercopithifilaria species were detected in 3.9% of the animals. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of Cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs from Portugal. The estimated level of infection with C. bainae, C. grassii and Cercopithifilaria sp. II suggests that these filarioids are prevalent in the canine population of southern Portugal.

SUBMITTER: Cortes HC

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4051959 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Diversity of Cercopithifilaria species in dogs from Portugal.

Cortes Helder C E HC Cardoso Luís L Giannelli Alessio A Latrofa Maria Stefania MS Dantas-Torres Filipe F Otranto Domenico D

Parasites & vectors 20140605

<h4>Background</h4>Filarioids belonging to the genus Cercopithifilaria (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) have been described in dogs in association with Rhipicephalus sanguineus group ticks, which act as their biological vectors. This study represents the first investigation on Cercopithifilaria spp. in dogs from Portugal.<h4>Findings</h4>Dogs (n=102) from the Algarve region (south of Portugal) were sampled by skin snip collection and tissues were left to soak overnight in saline solution. Sediments we ...[more]

PMID: 24898125

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundCercopithifilaria bainae is a filarioid nematode of dogs. Infection with the parasite was not reported in the USA until 2017, when a dog with skin lesions in Florida was diagnosed. Brown dog ticks, Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato), are the purported tick vectors, and are widespread in the USA. Therefore, C. bainae is likely present in additional states. Here, we tested dogs and ticks in Oklahoma for evidence of C. bainae infection.MethodsDermal punch biopsies were opportunistically collected from municipal shelter and client-owned dogs. Multiple skin samples collected from interscapular and head regions were tested by saline sedimentation to recover live microfilariae for morphometric identification and by PCR to amplify a 330 bp region of the filarioid 12S rRNA gene. Also, ticks observed on surveyed dogs were collected, identified to species level, and tested for filarioid DNA.ResultsA total of 496 saline sedimentations were performed on 230 shelter and 20 client-owned dogs. Cercopithifilaria bainae infections were identified in 2.6% (6/230) of shelter dogs by morphometry of microfilariae in sedimentations and/or amplification of DNA from skin. DNA sequences amplified from PCR positive skin samples were 99-100% identical to C. bainae reported in Italy. All skin samples from client-owned dogs were negative for filarioid infection by saline sedimentation and PCR. A total of 112 ticks, comprised of four species, were collected. Two of 72 R. sanguineus (s.l.), both engorged females found attached to a C. bainae infected dog, harbored C. bainae DNA (99-100% identity). One attached R. sanguineus (s.l.) male on the same dog harbored filarioid DNA sequence which was difficult to interpret at numerous base-pair locations, but was closest in identity (~80%) to C. bainae.ConclusionsThe distribution of C. bainae is more widespread than previously known. To our knowledge, we document C. bainae infections in dogs and DNA in brown dog ticks in Oklahoma for the first time. As brown dog ticks are commonly found throughout the USA, veterinarians in this region should consider C. bainae infection as a differential diagnosis in canine patients with dermatitis or polyarthritis.

Dataset Information

Diversity of Cercopithifilaria species in dogs from Portugal.

Publications

Diversity of Cercopithifilaria species in dogs from Portugal.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets