Article
Microbiology
Younes Laidoudi, Domenico Otranto, Natacha Stolowy, Sophie Amrane, Ranju Ravindran Santhakumari Manoj, Laurine Polette, Stephanie Watier-Grillot, Oleg Mediannikov, Bernard Davoust, Coralie L'Ollivier
Summary: Dirofilariasis, caused by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, is an ancient zoonotic infection affecting humans and dogs. A study in southeast France found high molecular prevalence of Dirofilaria spp. in dogs, with ocular dirofilariasis mainly seen in elderly patients in the region. Despite a shared genotype between human and dog cases, the parasites were geographically concentrated, highlighting the need for preventive strategies in these areas.
Article
Immunology
Helena Biasizzo, Barbara Soba, Frosina Ilovski, Matevz Harlander, Matej Lukin, Olga Blatnik, Matjaz Turel, Matevz Srpcic, Izidor Kern, Bojana Beovic
Summary: This article reports a case of human Dirofilaria repens infection in Slovenia, where the patient had both pleural and subcutaneous manifestations. This case demonstrates the multisystemic clinical course of a severe symptomatic parasitic infection.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Surgery
T. V. Aswathi, L. S. Sreelesh, T. M. Sheeja Rajan, G. N. Geethu
Summary: Human subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a rare zoonotic infection caused by worms of the genus Dirofilaria. This case presented with itching, erythematous wheals, and swelling, with ultrasound examination revealing a hypoechoic lesion with internal tubular serpiginous structure.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Yeong-Seok Goh, Hye-Min Kim, Badriah Alkathiri, Hong Suh Chang, Young Min Yoon, Seung-Hun Lee, Kyung-Mee Park
Summary: We report two cases of ectopic dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, one involving subconjunctival involvement and the other involving subcutaneous localization. The species was confirmed using molecular methods. This is the first report of subconjunctival ectopic dirofilariasis caused by D. immitis in Korea, which is of significant importance.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Beata Szostakowska, Agnieszka Cwiklowska, Luiza Marek-Jozefowicz, Artur Czaplewski, Dariusz Grzanka, Natalia Kulawiak-Wasielak, Malgorzata Sulima
Summary: Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonotic disease caused by nematodes of the genus Dirofilaria, with dogs as main hosts and mosquitoes as vectors. Human is usually an accidental host, but with the recent expansion of Dirofilaria species in Europe, species identification in diagnostics is important for atypical courses of infection.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Sandani S. S. Thilakarathne, Nayana Wijayawardhane, Piyumali K. K. Perera, Chandima Mallawa, Rupika S. S. Rajakaruna
Summary: This study provides the first molecular characterization of Dirofilaria repens, a zoonotic filarial disease in dogs in Sri Lanka. High infection rates of Dirofilaria among domestic dogs indicate a potential reservoir for emerging cases of human dirofilariasis. Therefore, morphological and molecular diagnosis, along with epidemiological assessment, are critical for the formulation of effective public health programs and control mechanisms.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Rossella Panarese, Rhiannon Moore, Antony P. Page, Mike McDonald, Emma MacDonald, William Weir
Summary: Over the past two decades, vector-borne pathogens have shifted their distribution globally due to various environmental, socioeconomic, and geopolitical factors. Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens are examples of European pathogens that have undergone significant changes in their distribution, with new infection hotspots appearing in previously non-endemic countries.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Katharina Riebenbauer, Philipp B. Weber, Julia Walochnik, Franz Karlhofer, Stefan Winkler, Sonja Dorfer, Herbert Auer, Julia Valencak, Martin Laimer, Alessandra Handisurya
Summary: The incidence of human dirofilariosis cases has significantly increased over the past four decades in Austria, with a notable rise in cases after 1998. Most patients with the disease had a history of travel to regions endemic for Dirofilaria species, indicating changes in human behavior and travel activities as contributing factors to the rise in cases.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Jan Gebauer, Jaroslav Ondrus, Pavel Kulich, Ladislav Novotny, Ruslan Salamatin, Petr Husa, Adam Novobilsky
Summary: Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis are the most common filarial species affecting humans in Europe, with the former causing subcutaneous or ocular infection and the latter mainly responsible for pulmonary form. The first human case of periorbital dirofilariasis in the Czech Republic was reported, where the patient's symptoms disappeared after excising the parasite, identified as D. repens.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Patchana Kamkong, Wanarit Jitsamai, Kritsada Thongmeesee, Panan Ratthawongjirakul, Piyanan Taweethavonsawat
Summary: This study aims to characterize the Wolbachia species in canine filarial nematodes in Thailand and determine their association. Blood samples from infected dogs were analyzed to identify the filarial nematode species using microscopy and molecular techniques. The results showed that Dirofilaria immitis and Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis samples were grouped into Wolbachia supergroup C, while Brugia spp. and Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis samples were classified into Wolbachia supergroup D. This study provides the first genetic diversity analysis of Wolbachia in Candidatus Dirofilaria hongkongensis in infected dogs in Thailand.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Biplab K. Saha, Alyssa Bonnier, Woon Hean Chong, Hau Chieng, Adam Austin, Kurt Hu, Boris Shkolnik
Summary: Human pulmonary dirofilariasis is a rare disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis, the same parasite responsible for canine heartworm. The incidence of this disease is increasing worldwide due to greater awareness and factors affecting the mosquito vector. Most patients have no symptoms and are diagnosed with pulmonary nodules, while some may experience acute symptoms of pneumonia. Currently, there are no specific clinical tests, and diagnosis is usually made through surgical resection and histopathologic identification of the worm.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF THE MEDICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Zaid Shaikh, Punyatoya Kar, Srujana Mohanty, Monalisa Dey, Dillip Kumar Samal
Summary: We present a case of ocular dirofilariasis in a 68-year-old man with pre-septal abscess and swelling of the left eyelid. A live adult female Dirofilaria repens worm was found and extracted during abscess drainage. The patient had complete resolution of lid edema and swelling, and was discharged without any residual complaints.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Beata Rymgayllo-Jankowska, Marta Ziaja-Soltys, Beata Flis, Anna Bogucka-Kocka, Tomasz Zarnowski
Summary: We report a case of a 60-year-old man who had a subcutaneous nodule on his left upper eyelid. The patient had multiple mosquito bites during work trips to Ukraine. Histopathological examination suggested infestation of Dirofilaria repens in the nodule isolated during surgery. Ophthalmologists should be aware of unusual presentations of parasitic infections in the ocular adnexa.
Letter
Immunology
Sara Ugolini, Mario Lima, Michela Maffi, Francesco Pierangeli, Marzia Vastano, Tommaso Gargano, Stefania Varani, Andrea Gustinelli, Monica Caffara, Maria L. Fioravanti
Summary: This study identified and confirmed a case of testicular Dirofilaria repens infection in a child in northeastern Italy through sequence analysis. Given the increasing incidence of human dirofilariasis in southern and eastern Europe, this parasitic infection should be considered as a possible cause of scrotal swelling in endemic countries to avoid unnecessary interventions.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anatoly V. Kondrashin, Lola F. Morozova, Ekaterina V. Stepanova, Natalia A. Turbabina, Maria S. Maksimova, Aleksandr E. Morozov, Alina S. Anikina, Evgeny N. Morozov
Summary: Human dirofilariasis, a vector-borne helminth disease caused by two species of Dirofilaria, has shown a notable increase in Russia since the late 1980s-early 1990s, possibly due to the global climate warming trend during that period. It has become an emerging public health problem in Russia, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive epidemiological monitoring system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
R. Morchon, E. Carreton, R. Garcia, T. Zueva, V Kartashev, F. Simon
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
Alicia Diosdado, Fernando Simon, Rodrigo Morchon, Javier Gonzalez-Miguel
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alicia Diosdado, Fernando Simon, Rodrigo Morchon, Javier Gonzalez-Miguel
Summary: The larvae of Ascaris suum can control host blood coagulation by inhibiting blood clot formation, which may facilitate their migration and survival within the host.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rodrigo Morchon, Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Jose angel Sanchez-Agudo, Juan de Vicente-Bengochea, Xiomara Murcia-Martinez, Elena Carreton
Summary: Canine angiostrongylosis, caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum, affects domestic and wild canids, with an emerging presence in Europe, particularly in red foxes. A study in Spain analyzed the presence of A. vasorum antigens in 1475 dogs, with a prevalence of 0.75%, mainly outdoors and living in mild climates close to water bodies. More comprehensive epidemiological studies are needed in Spain and Europe to effectively control this disease in both domestic and wild animals.
Editorial Material
Veterinary Sciences
Rodrigo Morchon, Ruben Bueno-Mari, Laura Rinaldi, Elena Carreton
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Oscar Otalora, Guillermo Couto, Julio Benavides, Carlos Mucha, Rodrigo Morchon
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis, anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, and Lyme borreliosis in dogs in Barranquilla and Puerto Colombia, finding the highest percentage of dogs positive for Ehrlichia spp. It is suggested that veterinarians should routinely implement prophylactic programmes for these diseases, particularly for dogs that reside outdoors.
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Rodrigo Morchon, Sara Nieves Garcia-Rodriguez, Yaiza Falcon-Cordon, Noelia Costa-Rodriguez, Jorge Isidoro Matos, Ivan Rodriguez Escolar, Elena Carreton
Summary: Canine heartworm disease is prevalent in Spain, with higher infection rates in northwestern and southern provinces, as well as in the Balearic and Canary Islands. Positive cases were also reported in provinces and islands where no infected dogs were previously reported. Given its zoonotic nature, further studies and prevention programs are necessary.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elena Carreton, Rodrigo Morchon, Sara Nieves Garcia-Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez-Escolar, Jorge Isidoro Matos, Noelia Costa-Rodriguez, Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso
Summary: The overall prevalence of canine angiostrongylosis in Spain was 1.39%, with infected domestic dogs reported in most provinces. Coastal provinces had higher prevalence compared to inland provinces, indicating a possible influence of climatic factors on parasite establishment. This study contributes to the epidemiological map of A. vasorum in dogs in Spain and highlights the need for awareness and prevention campaigns for this emerging disease.
Review
Microbiology
Rodrigo Morchon, Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Ivan Rodriguez-Escolar, Elena Carreton
Summary: This review provides an update on the epidemiological situation of heartworm disease in Europe and analyzes the factors contributing to its continuous spread. The disease has extended to Eastern European countries and the prevalence continues to increase in southern countries where it was traditionally endemic. Factors such as climate changes, presence of new vectors, movement of pets from endemic countries, urbanization of rural areas, and expansion of irrigated crops have influenced the distribution trends and changes in this disease.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ivan Rodriguez-Escolar, Ricardo E. Hernandez-Lambrano, Jose Angel Sanchez-Agudo, Manuel Collado, Patricia Perez-Perez, Rodrigo Morchon
Summary: A new model confirms the high risk of vector-borne dirofilariosis in the Iberian Peninsula and Balearic Islands, providing a valuable tool for its management and control.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Rodrigo Morchon, Ruben Bueno-Mari, Daniel Bravo-Barriga
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rodrigo Morchon, Ivan Rodriguez-Escolar, Ricardo E. Hernandez Lambrano, Jose angel Sanchez Agudo, Jose Alberto Montoya-Alonso, Irene Serafin-Perez, Carolina Fernandez-Serafin, Elena Carreton
Summary: In this study, a more accurate transmission risk model for heartworm disease in the Canary Islands was developed. By calculating different variables and using an ecological niche model, potential areas of infection risk were identified, and the model also predicted future transmission patterns under different climatic conditions. The results showed that all islands had a risk of transmission, with higher risk in coastal areas, moderate risk in midland areas, and lower risk in higher altitude areas.
Article
Parasitology
T. Zueva, R. Morchon, E. Carreton, C. Ollauri-Ibanez, M. Pericacho, A. Rodriguez-Barbero, F. Simon
JOURNAL OF HELMINTHOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Parasitology
L. Ciuca, A. Vismarra, W. Lebon, F. Beugnet, R. Morchon, L. Rinaldi, G. Cringoli, L. Kramer, M. Genchi
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2020)
