[Detection of Dirofilaria in Austrian dogs]

A recent increase in the occurrence of Dirofilaria repens and Dirofilaria immitis has been reported from the eastern neighbouring countries of Austria (Slovakia, Hungary). In order to obtain data from Austria--especially from the areas bordering these countries--blood samples of dogs from Gänserndorf (northeastern Austria, bordering Slovakia) and Neusiedl (eastern Austria, bordering Hungary) were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria spp.-DNA by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). For D. repens one (out of eight) and six (out of ninety) positive dogs were found, respectively. D. immitis-DNA was not detected. Most of the positive dogs had previously been abroad in known Dirofilaria endemic areas. Two dogs, however, had never been abroad and presumably became infected in Austria. To investigate an autochthonous focus, 1366 mosquitoes from the eastern part of Austria were also examined by qPCR. Although positive mosquitoes could not be found, an emerging endemic occurrence of D. repens in Austria due to positive dogs seems possible.