Estudo da prevalência de infeção por Dirofilaria immitis em gatos na Região Autónoma da Madeira
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2019-07-18
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A dirofilariose cardiopulmonar é uma doença parasitária helmíntica de distribuição mundial, causada por Dirofilaria immitis, agente transmitido por insetos vetores. Os cães são os principais hospedeiros, mas outros animais, incluindo gatos domésticos, também podem ser infetados. A presença ubiquitária de vetores torna a transmissão possível e a erradicação improvável, em áreas onde o reservatório de infeção e condições climáticas favoráveis coexistem. A dirofilariose é endémica em Portugal, que é um dos países mais quentes da Europa, dispondo de um clima adequado ao desenvolvimento, reprodução e sobrevivência dos vetores. Além disso, tem-se vindo a verificar uma dispersão geográfica de Dirofilaria para áreas onde a infeção não ocorria. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar, pela primeira vez, a prevalência da infeção por D. immitis em gatos na Região Autónoma da Madeira. No presente estudo, foram analisadas amostras de soro/plasma de 141 gatos provenientes de vários concelhos da região, colhidas na Sociedade Protetora dos Animais Domésticos, no concelho do Funchal. A amostra populacional de gatos era composta por 64 fêmeas e 77 machos, a maioria de raça europeu comum, com idades compreendidas entre 1,5 meses e 21 anos. As amostras foram analisadas com recurso à utilização do teste comercial PetCheck Heartworm PF® (Idexx Laboratories; Westbrook, Maine, Estados Unidos da América), que visa a deteção de antigénios circulantes. Durante o período de estudo, observou-se uma prevalência de infeção por D. immitis na RAM de 3,5% (5/141), correspondente a uma prevalência real de 3,6%. Quatro dos gatos positivos eram provenientes do concelho do Funchal (4/141; 2,8%) e um era proveniente de outro concelho, nomeadamente Câmara de Lobos (1/141; 0,7%). Todos os gatos positivos apresentavam idade superior a 1 ano (5/139; 3,6%). Quanto ao género, três dos cinco gatos positivos eram do sexo masculino (3/141; 2,1%) e dois eram do sexo feminino (2/141; 1,4%). Os gatos exclusivamente de exterior ou de habitat misto (interior e exterior) tiveram uma prevalência observada de infeção de 2,9% (4/138), enquanto os gatos exclusivamente de interior tiveram 0,7% (1/138). Nenhum dos cinco gatos positivos recebiam desparasitantes externos ou internos, tendo-se verificado associações estatisticamente significativas entre positividade a D. immitis e não utilização de desparasitantes externos (p = 0,009) ou interno (p = 0,006). Este estudo vem demonstrar a importância de incluir a dirofilariose na lista de diagnósticos diferenciais em gatos que habitem nesta região e que apresentem sinais clínicos compatíveis com a doença. Além disso, tem como objetivo sensibilizar a comunidade médico veterinária e os tutores para existência desta doença na região, que pode ser fatal e cujas manifestações clínicas são inespecíficas, assim como alertar para a necessidade de profilaxia.
Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis is a helminthic parasitic disease of worldwide distribution. It is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, which is an agent transmitted by vector insects. Dogs are its main hosts but other animals, including cats, can also be infected. The ubiquitous presence of vectors makes transmission possible and its eradication unlikely in areas where the reservoir of infection and favourable climate conditions co-exist. Dirofilariosis is endemic in Portugal as this is one of the warmest countries in Europe, therefore presenting an appropriate climate for the development, reproduction and survival of its vectors. Furthermore, the geographical dispersal of dirofilariosis has been occurring in areas where the infection did not exist before. Thus, the main goal of this project is to determine, for the first time, the prevalence of the infection by D. immitis in cats, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. In the present study, serum/plasma samples were analysed from 141 cats from different counties of the region, collected at “Sociedade Protetora dos Animais Domésticos”, in the county of Funchal. The cats’ population sample included 64 females and 77 males, most of them European Shorthair, of ages between 1,5 months and 21 years. Samples were analysed with the commercial test PetCheck Heartworm PF® (Idexx Laboratories; Westbrook, Maine, United States of America), which detects circulating antigens. Throughout the study period, a prevalence of infection by D. immitis in ARM of 3,56% (5/141), corresponding to a renal prevalence of 3,6%, was observed. Four of the positive tested cats were from the county of Funchal (4/141; 2,8%) and one from a different county (1/141; 0,7%), which is Câmara de Lobos. All the positive tested cats were older than one year of age (5/139; 3,6%). Regarding the gender, three of the five positive tested cats were male (3/141; 2,1%) and two were female (2/141; 1,4%). Exclusively outdoor or mixed habitat (indoor and outdoor) living cats showed a prevalence of infection of 2,9% (4/138), whereas exclusively indoor living cats had a prevalence of 0,7% (1/138). None of the five positive tested cats received external or internal dewormer, and there were significant statistically associations between positivity to D. immitis and non-use of external (p = 0,009) or internal (p = 0,006) dewormer. This study states the importance of including dirofilariosis in the list of differential diagnosis in cats that inhabit this region and that present clinical signs compatible with the disease. Furthermore, it has the purpose of raising awareness in the veterinary community and in the animals tutors of the existence of this disease in the region. It also aims to appeal for urgent need of prophylactic procedures in the ARM. Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis must not be understated as it may lead to death due to absence of specific clinical signs.
Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis is a helminthic parasitic disease of worldwide distribution. It is caused by Dirofilaria immitis, which is an agent transmitted by vector insects. Dogs are its main hosts but other animals, including cats, can also be infected. The ubiquitous presence of vectors makes transmission possible and its eradication unlikely in areas where the reservoir of infection and favourable climate conditions co-exist. Dirofilariosis is endemic in Portugal as this is one of the warmest countries in Europe, therefore presenting an appropriate climate for the development, reproduction and survival of its vectors. Furthermore, the geographical dispersal of dirofilariosis has been occurring in areas where the infection did not exist before. Thus, the main goal of this project is to determine, for the first time, the prevalence of the infection by D. immitis in cats, in the Autonomous Region of Madeira. In the present study, serum/plasma samples were analysed from 141 cats from different counties of the region, collected at “Sociedade Protetora dos Animais Domésticos”, in the county of Funchal. The cats’ population sample included 64 females and 77 males, most of them European Shorthair, of ages between 1,5 months and 21 years. Samples were analysed with the commercial test PetCheck Heartworm PF® (Idexx Laboratories; Westbrook, Maine, United States of America), which detects circulating antigens. Throughout the study period, a prevalence of infection by D. immitis in ARM of 3,56% (5/141), corresponding to a renal prevalence of 3,6%, was observed. Four of the positive tested cats were from the county of Funchal (4/141; 2,8%) and one from a different county (1/141; 0,7%), which is Câmara de Lobos. All the positive tested cats were older than one year of age (5/139; 3,6%). Regarding the gender, three of the five positive tested cats were male (3/141; 2,1%) and two were female (2/141; 1,4%). Exclusively outdoor or mixed habitat (indoor and outdoor) living cats showed a prevalence of infection of 2,9% (4/138), whereas exclusively indoor living cats had a prevalence of 0,7% (1/138). None of the five positive tested cats received external or internal dewormer, and there were significant statistically associations between positivity to D. immitis and non-use of external (p = 0,009) or internal (p = 0,006) dewormer. This study states the importance of including dirofilariosis in the list of differential diagnosis in cats that inhabit this region and that present clinical signs compatible with the disease. Furthermore, it has the purpose of raising awareness in the veterinary community and in the animals tutors of the existence of this disease in the region. It also aims to appeal for urgent need of prophylactic procedures in the ARM. Cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis must not be understated as it may lead to death due to absence of specific clinical signs.
Descrição
Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina Veterinária
Palavras-chave
D. immitis , gatos