Simultaneous infection by Dirofilaria repens and Leishmania infantum in a dog

The subject: Dirofilaria repens and Leishmania infantum are agents of skin diseases in dogs. While features of cutaneous lesions in canine leishmaniosis are well-known, the role of D. repens in inducing dermatopathies in infected animals is still unclear. Both parasites are gaining attention, given that their geographic distribution is expanding in different European areas. Topicality and strong points: The present report describes a case of simultaneous infection by L. infantum and D. repens in a dog with skin lesions. A 6-year-old dog living in Central Italy was referred for a dermatological examination, which showed an erosive-ulcerative nodular dermatitis with erythema on the inner part of left ear. The histological examination of the lesion revealed a Leishmania-induced granuloma. The skin lesion and the blood were also molecularly positive for D. repens. Circulating microfilariae were found with a value of 61larvae/mL. Perspectives and projects: The epidemiologic and sanitary importance of co-infections by D. repens and L. infantum and their possible role in causing canine dermatopathies in co-infected dogs is discussed.