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Prevalence of Dirofilaria Immitis in the Carnivores and Its Vectors in Mymensingh Municipal Area of Bangladesh

Quazi Mustain Billah
Upazila Livestock Officer, Department of Livestock Service, Govt. of Bangladesh

Md. Abdul Karim
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh;

Md. Billal Hossain
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh;

Pallab Kumar Dutta
Assistant Director, Department of Livestock Service, Govt. of Bangladesh.

Md Hasanuzzaman Talukder*
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Heartworm is a global problem caused by Dirofilaria immitis that occurs in some carnivores in tropics and subtropics including some temperate countries. There is also a public health implication, since infection in human is occasionally reported. We investigated the prevalence of D. immitis among carnivores and to identify its vectors and to correlate between them in the study area. We examined the prevalence of D. immitis in stray dogs, wild foxes, and community cats, and in their vectors in Mymensingh Municipal Area. In this study, following the guidelines of the animal welfare and experimentation ethical committee, euthanized animals and mosquitoes were investigated for adult parasites and microfilariae, respectively. Among animals investigated 56.0% of dogs and 71.4% of foxes and none of cats were infected with D. immitis. Infection in animal below 2 years of age were 46.1% and 66.6% in dogs and foxes respectively compared to 66.6% and 75.0% infection respectively in dogs and foxes above 2 years of age. In male the rate of infections were 61.5% in dogs and 75.0% in foxes compared to 50.0% in female dogs and 66.66% in female foxes. Microfilariae were detected in 44% dogs and 57.14% foxes examined. The Culex sp. had 11.3% and the Anopheles sp. had 6.1% infection, whereas none of the Aedes sp had any microfilariae. Since these dogs and foxes live near the human habitations in study area, it was considered a serious public health threat to humans. Because of both veterinary and public health significance, further detailed studies on the prevalence of D. immitis in Bangladesh are highly emphasized.

Keywords: Dirofilaria, Heartworm, Prevalence, Vectors, Bangladesh

Location: Mymensingh Municipal Area of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Pest Management

Commodity: Pest

Objectives:

We investigated the prevalence of D. immitis among carnivores and to identify its vectors and to correlate between them in the study area. We examined the prevalence of D. immitis in stray dogs, wild foxes, and community cats, and in their vectors in Mymensingh Municipal Area.

Methodology:

Animal ethical statement The study plan was approved by the animal welfare and experimentation ethical committee (AWEEC/BAU/19). Euthanasia and Post-mortem The study was carried out in Mymensingh Municipal Area of Bangladesh and 25 dogs, 15 cats and 7 foxes mostly adults and belonged to local breeds (street dogs, community cats and wild foxes) were examined. The age of the animals were determined based on teeth of the dead /euthanized carnivores. The animals were euthanized by direct intra-cardial injection of saturated solution of Magnesium Sulphate (MgSo4. 5 H₂O) between the 4th or 5th intercostal space. The carcasses were following the standard procedure of post-mortem examination as described by Cable (Cable, 1953) and the heart, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, aorta and lungs were removed, and examined thoroughly petridish/glass jars. The chambers of the heart, aorta and pulmonary artery were opened carefully. Collection and identification of parasites The parasites were collected with the help of curved needles and were put on the petridish containing normal saline. Collected parasites were cleared off blood preserved in glycerine alcohol (Glycerine 5 parts and 75% alcohol 95 parts). Parasites were identified by preparing temporary slides by adding one drop of lukewarm lactophenol following the keys and description published elsewhere (Belding, 1965; Soulsby, 1982). Detection of microfilariae from blood The peripheral blood from trapped carnivores was collected in clean vials premedicated with anticoagulants (Ca-EDTA). A drop of blood was taken on the slide and mixed with a drop of normal saline and wet smears were examined under microscope for detecting living microfilariae made and stained. Giemsa's stain slides were examined under microscope using 100X objective by adding oil immersion blood was preserved by adding 2% formalin for further use. Examination of mosquitoes and identification of microfilariae For vector studies, 1910 mosquitoes of Culex sp. Anopheles sp. and Aedes sp. and about 23 Ctenocephalides canis fleas and examined (Chandler and Read, 1961). Vectors were identified using the descriptions (Belding, 1965; Soulsby, 1982). With intention At least 10 mosquitoes from each collection was taken on a slide and dissected in a few drops of saline using needles and examined under the microscope using objectives 40x. Microfilariae those showing movement were examined under oil immersion using objectives up to 100x. Similarly 23 fleas were examined and identified. icrofilariae were identified following the keys description published previously (Belding, 1965; Soulsby, 1982). Statistical analysis Statistical analysis was made to determine the number of infected dogs, cats, and foxes within their respective population. Similarly, the number of mosquitoes infected from the population of each genera were determined, correlation coefficient was determined to relate infectivity of microfilarial prevalent in different genera of mosquitoes using standard methods (Chi-squre Test) (Swaroop et al., 1966).

Source of Information: Res. Agric. Livest. Fish. Vol. 6, No. 2, August 2019: 315-322.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

This study established the fact that the Mymensingh Municipal area is a highly endemic area for D. immitis infection in dogs and foxes. Besides suffering from dirofilariasis, these canines also act as reservoir of infection for man since D. immitis is transmitted to man by the vector mosquitoes like Culex sp. and Anopheles sp. with higher probability of developing pulmonary eosinophilia. Because of both veterinary and public health significance, further detailed studies on the prevalence of D. immitis in other region of the country are highly recommended.

Knowledge Management: Journal