Dirofilaria repens believed to be D. immitis: An erratic localization case in a golden jackal (Canis aureus)

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Parasitology
• Wildlife Health
• Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

• Dirofilariosis is a mosquito-borne disease affecting various mammals, with Dirofilaria immitis causing cardiopulmonary issues and Dirofilaria repens typically found in subcutaneous tissues.
• Dirofilaria repens exhibits a propensity for aberrant localization in unusual anatomical sites, posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of Dirofilaria repens cardiac localization in a golden jackal.
• To emphasize the importance of accurate species identification in dirofilariosis, regardless of anatomical location.
• To highlight the need for including wild canids in surveillance programs due to parasite and host distribution expansion.

Main Methods:

• Morphometric identification of the filiform worm recovered from the golden jackal.
• Molecular identification using PCR amplification of COI and 12S rRNA genes.
• Phylogenetic analyses to confirm species identification.

Main Results:

• A rare case of Dirofilaria repens aberrant cardiac localization was identified in a golden jackal from Northeastern Italy.
• A second lesion in the calcaneal region contained a filiform worm, also identified as Dirofilaria repens.
• Molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed the species identification.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the second documented instance of Dirofilaria repens cardiac localization in a wild canid.
• Accurate diagnostic identification is crucial, even when the anatomical site suggests a presumptive diagnosis.
• The ecological adaptability of Dirofilaria repens necessitates its inclusion in wild canid epidemiological surveillance, especially with expanding host and parasite ranges.