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Autochthonous Dirofilaria ( Nochtiella ) repens Infection in Dogs in Kuwait
Author(s) -
Tarello W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
zoonoses and public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.87
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1863-2378
pISSN - 1863-1959
DOI - 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2008.01140.x
Subject(s) - dirofilaria repens , repens , dirofilaria , zoonosis , dirofilariasis , veterinary medicine , larva migrans , biology , helminths , medicine , dirofilaria immitis , zoology , agronomy
Summary Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is a rare but increasingly reported zoonosis in the Middle East. However, eligible animal reservoirs seldom have been investigated in the area until now. Seven (1.8 percent) out of 381 dogs examined in Kuwait carried D. repens microfilariae showing compatible cutaneous clinical signs and positive response to the adulticide and microfilaricide therapies. This study indicates that dogs from Kuwait are natural hosts of D. repens and therefore act as an animal reservoir for the zoonotic condition.