Canine filariasis. Importance and transmission in the Baix Llobregat area, Barcelona (Spain)

Abstract

Field and laboratory studies were performed in order to assess the degree of canine dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy) in the Baix Llobregat region, a fluvial area near Barcelona, Spain. A total of 188 dogs were sampled between May and August of 1994. Three main areas were chosen: the Western Delta, the Eastern Delta and the Northern zone. Simultaneously, a mosquito sampling programme was carried out with CO2 light traps, to search for infective larvae (L3) of D. immitis. Of the 188 dogs sampled, 38 were positive for at least one of the three filaria found: D. immitis 12.8%, Dipetalonema reconditum (Grassi) 3.7% and Dipetalonema dracunculoides (Cobbold) 2.7%. Only 1.1% showed a mixed infection of both D. immitis and D. dracunculoides. Although Dirofilaria repens Raillet et Henry has been found in Spain, it was not found in this study. Comparing the three zones of the Baix Llobregat, the Eastern Delta showed the highest level of D. immitis (35.3%), probably due to the presence of Aedes caspius (Pallas). Despite the effort in sampling the mosquito population, D. immitis was not found in any of the 2001 females dissected, belonging to 5 species.