Elimination of Dirofilaria immitis Infection in Dogs, Linosa Island, Italy, 2020-2022.

Publisher: National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9508155 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1080-6059 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 10806040 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Emerg Infect Dis Subsets: MEDLINE

Original Publication: Atlanta, GA : National Center for Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), [1995-

Dirofilaria immitis* ; Dirofilariasis*/drug therapy ; Dirofilariasis*/epidemiology ; Dirofilariasis*/prevention & control ; Dog Diseases*/drug therapy ; Dog Diseases*/epidemiology ; Dog Diseases*/prevention & control; Animals ; Dogs ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Italy/epidemiology ; Microfilariae

On Linosa Island, Italy, Dirofilaria immitis infection has been hyperendemic in dogs and seroprevalent among islanders. In 2020, we implemented a heartworm disease elimination program on Linosa Island. Of 54 dogs tested for D. immitis antigen and microfilariae, 28 had positive results and received treatment with oral doxycycline twice daily for 4 weeks plus topical imidacloprid/moxidectin monthly for 12 months. The 26 dogs with negative results received monthly topical imidacloprid/moxidectin as preventive. During month 1, the number of microfilaremic dogs was reduced by 76.5%. From month 2 on, all animals were microfilariae negative, and during months 3 to 9, the number of antigen-positive dogs decreased progressively. Treatment of positive dogs coupled with chemoprophylaxis for noninfected dogs was effective, protecting them from new infections. The elimination program reduced the risk for human infection, representing a One Health paradigm. Monitoring and chemoprophylaxis are advocated to maintain the status of heartworm disease-free area.

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Keywords: Dirofilaria immitis; Italy; dog; elimination; heartworm disease; moxidectin; parasites; soft-kill treatment; vector-borne infections

3BN7M937V8 (imidacloprid)
NGU5H31YO9 (moxidectin)

Date Created: 20230724 Date Completed: 20230801 Latest Revision: 20230802

20230802

PMC10370836

10.3201/eid2908.221910

37486185