Dirofilaria immitis infection in the Pelagie archipelago: The southernmost hyperendemic focus in Europe

• DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14089
• Publication Date: 2021-03-31T08:01:34Z
• Authors: Emanuele Brianti; Rossella Panarese; Ettore Napoli; Giovanni De Bened...; Gabriella Gaglio; Marcos Antônio Be...; Jairo Alfonso Men...; Domenico Otranto
• Keywords: Dirofilaria repens; Dirofilaria; Repens; Dirofilariasis; Aedes albopictus

Dirofilaria immitis and repens are mosquito-borne filarioids of zoonotic concern, which primarily cause canine heartworm disease (HWD) subcutaneous dirofilariosis, respectively. The geographical distribution these nematodes is constantly changing, due to many factors such as the colonization by new invasive mosquito species, increased movement animals absence chemoprophylactic strategies in non-endemic regions. Although HWD has always been considered endemic northern Italy, an increase prevalence this recorded last decades central southern We describe southernmost hyperendemic European focus Pelagie archipelagos. From June November 2020, 157 dogs 46 cats were sampled Linosa Lampedusa islands for detection modified Knott's, rapid antigen molecular tests. Mosquitoes collected using CDC light BG sentinel-2 traps aspirators, tested host blood meal spp. DNA. Out 56 101 Lampedusa, 33 (i.e. 58.9%) 8 7.9%) positive D. repens, Three scored 17.6%) Linosa. Six species identified, abdomen a non-engorged Aedes albopictus was human results suggest that infection could spread previously territories Europe, representing real threat animal health.