Survey of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Sivas Province in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey

Authors : Ahmet Duran ATAŞ, Kürşat ALTAY, Ahmet ALİM, Erkan ÖZKAN

Pages : 130-134

View : 20 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :  In this research, we investigate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs using microscopical, serological, and molecular methods from the Central Anatolia Region insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Sivas); of Turkey and reveal the associated risk factors. Whole blood and serum samples were obtained from 306 dogs older than 7 months. Polymerase chain reaction insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(PCR); and the modified Knott`s method insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Knott); were used for detecting the microfilaria and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ELISA); was applied for the presence of D. immitis antigens. The prevalence of D. immitis in dogs was detected as 2.9% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(9/306); by PCR and ELISA and as 1.3% insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4/306); by Knott. All Knott-positive samples were also found positive by both PCR and ELISA. According to ELISA and PCR results, no statistically significant difference was found between the prevalence in males insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(4.2%); and females insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.5%);; dogs 0.7?2 years old insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.5%);, 3-5 years old insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2.2%);; and more than 6 years old insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(7.1%);; or stray insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(3.7%); and owned insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(1.7%); dogs insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P > 0.05);. One of the PCR products was selected for sequence analyses of the 16S small subunit rRNA gene and the obtained sequence was submitted to GenBank insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(KJ183078);. The 16S rRNA sequence exhibited 100% identity to other D. immitis sequences available in GenBank insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FJ799911, FJ799917, FJ799916);. This research provides the first data on D. immitis infections in dogs from Sivas Province by using the combined identification techniques.
Keywords : Dirofilaria immitis, dogs, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, microscopy, polymerase chain reaction, Turkey