INTRODUCTION. In the past years Angiostrongylus vasorum has been increasingly detected throughout Europe (Elsheikha et al., 2014 Vet. Res. 45:92). The same drivers involved in the spreading of canine angiostrongylosis, e.g. climatic changes and urbanization, may also spur the emergence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) (Beugnet et al., 2013 Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 36:559-66). Thus, in many geographic areas dog populations may be at simultaneous risk of VBDs and angiostrongylosis. This study evaluated the exposure to A. vasorum in dogs tested for major canine VBDs in enzootic areas of Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sera of 294 dogs previously tested for VBDs with i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens and Borrrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. antibodies and ii) IFAT for Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii, were subjected to two ELISAs detecting A. vasorum circulating antigen (Ag) (Schnyder et al., 2011 Vet. Parasitol. 179:152-58) and antibodies (Ab) (Schucan et al., 2012 Vet. Parasitol. 185:216-24). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Six (2%) and 22 (7.4%) dogs were seropositive for circulating A. vasorum Ag and Ab, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%) were positive for A. vasorum Ab + at least one VBD, 3 (1%) were positive for A. vasorum Ag + at least one VBD, while 1 dog was positive for A. vasorum Ag + Ab + B. canis (Figure 1). Thus, dogs living in Italy are at risk of contemporaneous infection with both A. vasorum and VBDs. Knowledge on the simultaneous risk for VBDs and angiostrongylosis in dog populations of Europe is very poor, as similar data have been generated only in Italy (Sauda et al., 2018 Parasite 25:2) Portugal (Alho et al., 2016 Parasit. Vectors 9:225) and Bulgaria (Iliev et al., 2020 Helmintologia 57: 171-8). Further studies are thus warranted for a more comprehensive knowledge on this epidemiological risk in European territories and to understand if the routine use of broad-spectrum endo-ectoparasiticides should be re-considered.
Exposure to Angiostrongylus vasorum in areas enzootic for VBDs
Morelli S;Colombo M;Di Cesare A;Russi I;
2021-01-01
Abstract
INTRODUCTION. In the past years Angiostrongylus vasorum has been increasingly detected throughout Europe (Elsheikha et al., 2014 Vet. Res. 45:92). The same drivers involved in the spreading of canine angiostrongylosis, e.g. climatic changes and urbanization, may also spur the emergence of Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) (Beugnet et al., 2013 Comp. Immunol. Microbiol. Infect. Dis. 36:559-66). Thus, in many geographic areas dog populations may be at simultaneous risk of VBDs and angiostrongylosis. This study evaluated the exposure to A. vasorum in dogs tested for major canine VBDs in enzootic areas of Italy. MATERIALS AND METHODS. Sera of 294 dogs previously tested for VBDs with i) SNAP® 4DX (IDEXX Laboratories Inc.) detecting Dirofilaria immitis antigens and Borrrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia spp. antibodies and ii) IFAT for Leishmania infantum, Babesia canis and Rickettsia conorii, were subjected to two ELISAs detecting A. vasorum circulating antigen (Ag) (Schnyder et al., 2011 Vet. Parasitol. 179:152-58) and antibodies (Ab) (Schucan et al., 2012 Vet. Parasitol. 185:216-24). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Six (2%) and 22 (7.4%) dogs were seropositive for circulating A. vasorum Ag and Ab, respectively. Seventeen dogs (5.8%) were positive for A. vasorum Ab + at least one VBD, 3 (1%) were positive for A. vasorum Ag + at least one VBD, while 1 dog was positive for A. vasorum Ag + Ab + B. canis (Figure 1). Thus, dogs living in Italy are at risk of contemporaneous infection with both A. vasorum and VBDs. Knowledge on the simultaneous risk for VBDs and angiostrongylosis in dog populations of Europe is very poor, as similar data have been generated only in Italy (Sauda et al., 2018 Parasite 25:2) Portugal (Alho et al., 2016 Parasit. Vectors 9:225) and Bulgaria (Iliev et al., 2020 Helmintologia 57: 171-8). Further studies are thus warranted for a more comprehensive knowledge on this epidemiological risk in European territories and to understand if the routine use of broad-spectrum endo-ectoparasiticides should be re-considered.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
