[BLOODSUCKING MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN, THE TULA REGION ARE POTENTIAL VECTORS OF DIROFILARIAS].

Bloodsucking mosquitoes were collected in Tula and its Region in May to August 2013-2014. The fauna included 17 species from 5 genera in the subfamily Culicinae and Anopheles maculipennis complex in the subsystem Anophelinae. Ochlerotatus cantans was a dominant species in the collections. The dominant species also included Aedes einereus, Ae. vexans, Ae. geniculatus, Och. diantaeus, Och. intrudens, Och. Cataphylla, and Culex pipiens. The possible value of different mosquito species Dirofilaria repens and D. immitis as vectors of dirofilarasis was discussed.

Human dirofilariasis.

Although canine dirofilariasis has been recognized for over 300 years human dirofilariasis has received relatively little attention. Although human beings are dead-end hosts they can become infected and develop lesions associated with infection. Although these lesions are typically benign they may be misdiagnosed as more important disease and prompt unnecessary diagnostic procedures with attendant cost, discomfort and morbidity. In heavily endemic areas human dirofilariasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis for solitary pulmonary "coin" lesions. More widespread serologic screening and epidemiologic surveys are necessary to ascertain the importance of human dirofilariasis.

Dirofilariasis in the domestic ferret.

The popularity of pet ferrets in heartworm-endemic and -nonendemic areas is growing, with ferret ownership in the United States currently exceeding 10 million. The domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) has been reported to be susceptible to naturally-acquired and experimentally-induced infections of Dirofilaria immitis. Host-parasite relationships between D. immitis and domestic dogs and cats have been well studied, but there have been relatively few reports on infections in ferrets. Laboratory studies have shown the ferret to be highly susceptible, with infection and recovery rates similar to those achieved in the dog and higher than those seen in cats. Microfilaremia is characteristically of low concentration and transient in nature, similar to that seen in heartworm-infected cats. A definitive diagnosis can be made from ELISA-based antigen tests, echocardiography, and angiography, but suggestive radiographic findings require additional supportive information to confirm a tentative diagnosis. Prevention has been shown to be effective with currently used canine prophylactic pharmaceutics, but effective treatment of adult heartworms in ferrets has not yet been confirmed by controlled studies. There is currently no approved drug for prevention or treatment of D. immitis in ferrets.

Dirofilaria in dogs of Surinam

Five hundred and twenty-one dogs, at least one year of age, visiting a private veterinary clinic in Paramaribo, were examined from August 1977 till August 1978. Twenty-six per cent had microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis in their peripheral blood. The mean number per infected dog was 9.689 per ml of blood (range 14 to 78.984 per ml). Microfilaria positivity rates were significantly higher in older dogs, and there were significantly more abnormal SGPT values in positive than in negative dogs, but there were no significant associations between positivity rate and alcalic phosphatase, ureum, or creatinin values, presence of clinical symptoms, presence of antibodies to Dirofilaria immitis (measured by the direct immuno fluoroscent antibody test), sex, breed nor neighbourhood of the dogs.(AU)