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Rodríguez-Escolar I, Hernández-Lambraño RE, Sánchez-Agudo JÁ, Collado-Cuadrado M, Savić S, Žekić Stosic M, Marcic D, Morchón R. Prediction and validation of potential transmission risk of Dirofilaria spp. infection in Serbia and its projection to 2080. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1352236. [PMID: 38634104 PMCID: PMC11022963 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1352236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Animal and human dirofilariosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease, being one of the most important diseases in Europe. In Serbia, there are extensive studies reporting the presence of Dirofilaria immitis and D. repens, mainly in the north of the country, where the human population is concentrated and where there is a presence of culicid mosquitoes that transmit the disease. Ecological niche modeling (ENM) has proven to be a very good tool to predict the appearance of parasitosis in very diverse areas, with distant orography and climatologies at a local, continental, and global level. Taking these factors into account, the objective of this study was to develop an environmental model for Serbia that reflects the suitability of the ecological niche for the risk of infection with Dirofilaria spp. with which the predictive power of existing studies is improved. A wide set of variables related to the transmission of the parasite were used. The potential number of generations of D. immitis and the ecological niche modeling method (ENM) were used to estimate the potential distribution of suitable habitats for Culex pipiens. The highest probability of infection risk was located in the north of the country, and the lowest in the southern regions, where there is more orographic relief and less human activity. The model was corroborated with the location of D. immitis-infected dogs, with 89.28% of the country having a high probability of infection. In addition, it was observed that the percentage of territory with optimal habitat for Culex spp. will increase significantly between now and 2080. This new model can be used as a tool in the control and prevention of heartworm disease in Serbia, due to its high predictive power, and will serve to alert veterinary and health personnel of the presence of the disease in the animal and human population, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Ricardo Enrique Hernández-Lambraño
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Group, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - José Ángel Sánchez-Agudo
- Biodiversity, Human Diversity and Conservation Biology Group, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Manuel Collado-Cuadrado
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Marina Žekić Stosic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Doroteja Marcic
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Zoonotic Diseases and One Health Group, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
- Center for Environmental Studies and Rural Dynamization (CEADIR), University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Savić S, Stosic MZ, Marcic D, Hernández I, Potkonjak A, Otasevic S, Ruzic M, Morchón R. Seroepidemiological Study of Canine and Human Dirofilariasis in the Endemic Region of Northern Serbia. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:571. [PMID: 33134332 PMCID: PMC7550424 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused mainly by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens that affect dogs and humans all over the world. Serbia is considered an endemic country to both forms of dirofilariasis, although most of the population is concentrated in the north of the country. The aims of this study were to show the prevalence of D. immitis and D. repens in dogs and the seroprevalence in humans compared to previous studies in Northern Serbia. In total, 346 dog sera samples and 265 human samples were analyzed. Dog blood samples were analyzed using the modified Knott's method to check whether there were Dirofilaria spp. microfilariae and serum samples were checked by a commercial D. immitis antigen test. Human serum samples were analyzed with a non-commercial ELISA for detection of specific anti-D. immitis, anti-D. repens, and anti-Wolbachia IgG antibodies, and confirmed by western blotting. The overall prevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in dogs was 29.19%. The overall prevalence for D. immitis was 26.30%. The percentages of D. immitis and D. repens microfilaremia in dogs were 25.72 and 1.45%, respectively, while D. immitis./D. repens microfilaremia co-infections were also 1.45%. The overall seroprevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in humans was 3.77%. The overall seroprevalence for D. immitis was 1.51, 1.13% for D. repens, and for D. immitis/D. repens co-infections was 1.13%. The results indicate that D. immitis and D. repens are present in dogs and humans in the province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of Serbia. It is most likely associated with the presence of many rivers, the climate, and presence of mosquitoes in the area, so there could be a real public health risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Savić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Doroteja Marcic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Isabel Hernández
- Group of Animal and Human Dirofilariasis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Maja Ruzic
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, Clinical Center of Vojvodina, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Rodrigo Morchón
- Group of Animal and Human Dirofilariasis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Campus Miguel Unamuno, University of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
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Marcic D, Potkonjak A, Zekic Stosic M, Spasojevic-Kosic L, Pusic I, Savic S. Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Dogs from Shelters in Vojvodina, Serbia. ACTA SCI VET 2020. [DOI: 10.22456/1679-9216.106140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dirofilaria immitis is vector borne parasite of carnivores, with zoonotic potential, endemic in many parts of the world, including Europe. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from shelters, especially compared to their lifestyle. Dogs living in shelters in Serbia may be at high risk of acquiring vector borne pathogens, mainly because most of them live outside in pens and backyards, in contact with vectors. Also, dogs in shelters are not always regularly treated against ectoparasites, thus, representing an easy feeding source for the vectors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs from 5 shelters in South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. Also, the objective was to compare the relation of infection with Dirofiaria immitis with age, sex, type of keeping the animals and preventive treatment in dogs.Materials, Methods & Results: Between May 2017 and October 2019, blood samples were collected from 336 randomly selected dogs from 5 shelters in 2 districts, South Bačka and Central Banat districts, in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Northern part of Serbia. The epidemiological survey has been conducted with all of the dogs involved in this research. The survey was designed to collect data about sex, age, lifestyles, food type, treatment against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones, regular testing for Dirofilaria infections. The presence of circulating microfilariae was examined using a modified Knott’s test. For the presence of circulating adult female Dirofilaria immitis antigen, serum samples were tested by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, which reacts to antigen of female Dirofilaria. In total, 336 dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigen. For that dog population which came from 5 shelters, total prevalence was 25.30%. Most of the positive findings were observed in a shelter where dogs lived exclusively outdoors in fenced yards in big groups and they were partly tested for heartworm infections from time to time. These dogs were not treated with macrocyclic lactones, against mosquitoes with insecticides or filarioid worms. The prevalence in this shelter was 56.36%. On the contrary to that, the lowest positive findings were detected in the shelter, where dogs were allowed to move freely between outside and indoors and they were also provided with accommodation indoors. These dogs have been regularly tested for Dirofilaria infections and treated against mosquitoes with insecticides and filarioid worms with macrocyclic lactones. In this shelter the seroprevalence was 7.69%. Microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis were detected, by modified Knott’s test, in all of the antigen positive dog samples; except in 2 dogs from one shelter. Discussion: This study shows persistence of cardiopulmonary dirofiariosis in shelter dogs under different maintaining conditions. By comparing the data during the last 17 years, it can be stated that there is a constant increase of prevalence for Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in northern part of Serbia over the years. The results gained in this study are important from the veterinary point of view, but also from the Public Health point of view.
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Marcic D, Zekic-Stosic M, Milosevic S, Pusic I, Potkonjak A, Tasic-Otasevic S, Savic S. Seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. in dogs in northern Serbia. Vet glas 2020. [DOI: 10.2298/vetgl201030015m] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania spp. Serbia was an
endemic region for this disease until the second half of the 20th century.
Nowadays, canine leishmaniosis appears to be a re-emerging vector-borne
disease in Serbia. Its spread is enabled by the presence of Phlebotomus spp.
sandflies in this region. The objective of this study was to establish the
seroprevalence of Leishmania spp. in dogs being kept in shelters in Serbia
and compare those that apply and those that do not apply prophylactic
measures against arthropod vectors. This cross-sectional study involved 336
dogs in two regions in Northern Serbia during 2019-2020. A commercial
enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test was used to establish the prevalence
of seropositive dogs. In the shelters that applied prophylactic measures
against arthropod vectors, dogs were seronegative (n=52), while in those
without these measures, 2.1% (6/284) were seropositive against Leishmania
spp. In conclusion, the presence of dogs seropositive against Leishmania
spp. in shelters that did not apply prophylactic measures may indicate that
the local population of sandflies is a source of Leishmania spp. parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ivan Pusic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Agriculture, Department for Veterinary Medicine, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | - Sara Savic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Lupulovic D, Maksimovic Zoric J, Vaskovic N, Bugarski D, Plavsic B, Ivanovic N, Petrovic T, Pusic I, Marcic D, Grgic Z, Lazic S. First Report on the Efficiency of Oral Vaccination of Foxes against Rabies in Serbia. Zoonoses Public Health 2015; 62:625-36. [DOI: 10.1111/zph.12196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. Lupulovic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
| | | | - N. Vaskovic
- Veterinary Institute ‘Kraljevo’; Kraljevo Serbia
| | - D. Bugarski
- Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection; Belgrade Serbia
| | - B. Plavsic
- Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture and Environmental Protection; Belgrade Serbia
| | | | - T. Petrovic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
| | - I. Pusic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
| | - D. Marcic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
| | - Z. Grgic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
| | - S. Lazic
- Scientific Veterinary Institute ‘Novi Sad’; Novi Sad Serbia
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