Dirofilaria immitis e dirofilariose canina: um estudo retrospectivo
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2010
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A infecção causada por D. immitis − filária cujos estados imaturos são transmitidos de um animal para outro por mosquitos dos géneros Aedes, Anopheles e Culex − tem uma distribuição global ocorrendo com mais frequência nos trópicos e sub-trópicos. Os vermes adultos localizam-se no coração e grandes vasos. Apesar de ser uma doença que afecta principalmente cães, este parasita pode também afectar o gato, o furão, o leão marinho e ocasionalmente o homem.Foram estudados 271 animais, sendo que 204 (75,2%) foram considerados aparentemente assintomáticos e incluídos no grupo I e 67 (24,7%) apresentavam sinais clínicos compatíveis com a doença e foram incluídos no grupo II. O diagnóstico foi feito com base em dois testes: o exame directo a fresco e um “kit” comercial para a detecção de antigénio (Witness® Dirofilaria e Fastest® HWAntigen). Os resultados de ambos os testes permitiram diagnosticar 19 (9,3%) animais assintomáticos infectados por D. immitis e 30 (44,8%) animais clinicamente suspeitos e com dirofilariose. Deste modo, os resultados obtidos com este estudo permitiram estimar em 9,3% a prevalência desta infecção em cães assintomáticos observados na sub-região do Baixo Vouga. Nos dois grupos, a distribuição da prevalência pela idade, sexo e raça esteve em concordância com a maioria dos estudos epidemiológicos desta infecção. Ainda neste estudo foram analisadas as frequências de manifestações clínicas nos animais com dirofilariose bem como os parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos em 15 animais assintomáticos infectados e em 14 animais com dirofilariose. As manifestações clínicas mais observadas foram a prostração (76,7%), a tosse (43,3%), a anorexia (30%) e a intolerância ao exercício (30%). Anemia normocítica e normocrómica e leucocitose com neutrofilia, monocitose, eosinofilia e basofilia foram alterações hematológicas observadas nos animais assintomáticos infectados e nos animais com dirofilariose. Em relação à bioquímica sérica, os valores médios dentro do grupo dos 15 animais assintomáticos testados estavam todos dentro do respectivo intervalo de referência. Verificou-se um aumento dos valores médios de ALT (85,75±41,911), AST (60,40±60,694), BUN (48,33±43,988) e creatinina (1,956±3) nos 14 animais sintomáticos. Foram ainda observadas reacções adversas em 8 animais com dirofilariose e em 2 infectados assintomáticos, sendo que o trombo embolismo pulmonar foi a alteração mais grave observada. Em conclusão, com este estudo foi possível obter um valor de prevalência (9,3%) na sub-região do Baixo Vouga, que sugere a hipótese de a infecção por Dirofilaria ser endémica nesta área.
The infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis – a filarial organism whose immature stages are passed from one animal to another by mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex has a worldwide distribution occurring more frequently in the tropics and subtropics. The adult worms are located in the heart and great cardiopulmonary vessels. Despite being a disease that mainly affects dogs, the parasite can also infect the cat, the ferret, the sea lion and occasionally humans.Two-hundred and seventy one dogs from the subregion of Baixo Vouga were studied: 204 (75.2%) were apparently asymptomatic, and included in group I; and 67 (24.7%) had clinical signs compatible with the disease, and were included in group II. The diagnosis was based on two tests: direct microscopic examination of peripheral blood and a commercial kit for detection of antigen (Dirofilaria Witness ® and Fastest HW Antigen). The results of both tests allowed the diagnosis of 19 (9.3%) asymptomatic dogs infected by D. immitis and 30 (44.8%) animals that were clinically suspected and had heartworm disease. Thus, the results of this study allowed us to estimate a 9.3% prevalence of infection in asymptomatic dogs observed in the sub-region of Baixo Vouga.In both groups, the distribution of prevalence by age, sex and breed is in agreement with most epidemiological studies of this infection. The frequency of clinical signs in animals with heartworm disease was analyzed, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, in 15 asymptomatic infected animals and 14 animals with heartworm disease. The clinical manifestations observed were prostration (76.7%), cough (43.3%), anorexia (30%) and exercise intolerance (30%). Normocytic and normochromic anemia and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basophilia were hematological changes observed in the asymptomatic infected animals and animals with heartworm disease. Regarding serum biochemistry, mean values within the group of 15 asymptomatic animals tested were all within their normal range. There was an increase in mean values of ALT (85.75 ± 41.911), AST (60.40 ± 60.694), BUN (48.33 ± 43.988) and creatinine (1.956 ± 3) in 14 symptomatic animals. Adverse reactions were also observed in 8 animals with heartworm disease and 2 asymptomatic infected dogs, being that the pulmonary thromboembolic disease the most severe adverse reaction observed. In conclusion, with this study it was possible to obtain a value of prevalence (9.3%) in the sub-region of Baixo Vouga, which suggests the possibility of the infection with Dirofilaria to be endemic in this area.
The infection caused by Dirofilaria immitis – a filarial organism whose immature stages are passed from one animal to another by mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex has a worldwide distribution occurring more frequently in the tropics and subtropics. The adult worms are located in the heart and great cardiopulmonary vessels. Despite being a disease that mainly affects dogs, the parasite can also infect the cat, the ferret, the sea lion and occasionally humans.Two-hundred and seventy one dogs from the subregion of Baixo Vouga were studied: 204 (75.2%) were apparently asymptomatic, and included in group I; and 67 (24.7%) had clinical signs compatible with the disease, and were included in group II. The diagnosis was based on two tests: direct microscopic examination of peripheral blood and a commercial kit for detection of antigen (Dirofilaria Witness ® and Fastest HW Antigen). The results of both tests allowed the diagnosis of 19 (9.3%) asymptomatic dogs infected by D. immitis and 30 (44.8%) animals that were clinically suspected and had heartworm disease. Thus, the results of this study allowed us to estimate a 9.3% prevalence of infection in asymptomatic dogs observed in the sub-region of Baixo Vouga.In both groups, the distribution of prevalence by age, sex and breed is in agreement with most epidemiological studies of this infection. The frequency of clinical signs in animals with heartworm disease was analyzed, as well as hematological and biochemical parameters, in 15 asymptomatic infected animals and 14 animals with heartworm disease. The clinical manifestations observed were prostration (76.7%), cough (43.3%), anorexia (30%) and exercise intolerance (30%). Normocytic and normochromic anemia and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, monocytosis, eosinophilia and basophilia were hematological changes observed in the asymptomatic infected animals and animals with heartworm disease. Regarding serum biochemistry, mean values within the group of 15 asymptomatic animals tested were all within their normal range. There was an increase in mean values of ALT (85.75 ± 41.911), AST (60.40 ± 60.694), BUN (48.33 ± 43.988) and creatinine (1.956 ± 3) in 14 symptomatic animals. Adverse reactions were also observed in 8 animals with heartworm disease and 2 asymptomatic infected dogs, being that the pulmonary thromboembolic disease the most severe adverse reaction observed. In conclusion, with this study it was possible to obtain a value of prevalence (9.3%) in the sub-region of Baixo Vouga, which suggests the possibility of the infection with Dirofilaria to be endemic in this area.
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Dissertação de Mestrado em Medicina Veterinária