Can heartworm prevalence in dogs be used as provisional data for assessing the prevalence of the infection in cats?
Vet Parasitol
; 176(4): 300-3, 2011 Mar 22.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21292401
ABSTRACT
Cats are considered a susceptible host for Dirofilaria immitis; however, increased host resistance is reflected by relatively low adult worm burdens in natural and experimental infections; the prolonged prepatent period (8 months); the low level and short duration of microfilaremia; and the short life span of adult worms (2-3 years). From April to September 2006, 212 cats and 608 dogs, all exposed for at least one transmission season, were screened for D. immitis infection in a multi-center study in the Po River Valley in northern Italy. Cats were initially evaluated by antibody testing; positive subjects were followed up by antigen testing and echocardiography (and necropsy if death occurred). The prevalence in dogs was 29% by a modified Knott test and antigen testing compared with a prevalence of 4.7% in cats by an antibody test; six of these infections (2.8%) were confirmed by the follow-up evaluations. This field study demonstrated that the prevalence of heartworm infection in cats in this area is within the expected limits of 9-18% of the prevalence in dogs. Antibody testing likely underestimates the real prevalence of D. immitis infection in cats. These results also emphasize the importance of preventive treatment in cats.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Cat Diseases
/
Dirofilaria immitis
/
Dirofilariasis
/
Dog Diseases
Type of study:
Prevalence_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Animals
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
En
Journal:
Vet Parasitol
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: