Title : Dog heartworm, dirofilaria immitis, in aedes albopictus mosquitoes from Suffolk County, Virginia, United States
Abstract:
Dog heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, is an important filarial nematode vectored by several mosquito species, including Aedes albopictus known to cause heartworm disease in canines and felines. The parasite has also been shown to occasionally cause cutaneous or pulmonary dirofilariasis in humans. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of this competent invasive mosquito species in transmission of D. immitis and assess the prevalence of infection in mid-Atlantic United States. Aedes albopictus mosquitoes were collected from a variety of urban/suburban localities in Suffolk, Virginia in 2023. The abdomen and head/throax of mosquitoes were separated with the aid of a dissecting microscope. Genomic DNA was extracted from abdomens and screened in polymerase chain reaction amplification using primers based on diagnostic genes for D. immitis. PCR products were subjected to sequencing analysis to determine the evidence of infection with D. immitis. Of the 500 Aedes albopictus mosquitoes examined for evidence of infection with D. immitis, 52 (10.4%) tested positive for the parasite. The study identified the increased risk of D. immitis infection in domestic and wild animals in Virginia, USA and provides evidence that Aedes albopictus is an important vector of D. immitis in this region. This information can be used by local veterinarians, epidemiologists and public health officials to reduce the prevalence of D. immitis infection in the endemic regions.
