Current State of Canine <i>Heartworm</i> in Portugal
Joana Esteves-Guimarães,
Jorge Isidoro Matos,
Beatriz Leal-Sousa,
Pedro Oliveira,
Luís Lobo,
Ana Cristina Silvestre-Ferreira,
Carla S. Soares,
Iván Rodríguez-Escolar,
Elena Carretón,
Rodrigo Morchón,
Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa,
José Alberto Montoya-Alonso
Affiliations
Joana Esteves-Guimarães
Clínica Veterinária Aanifeira, 4520-409 Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
Jorge Isidoro Matos
Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Beatriz Leal-Sousa
Clínica dos Gatos, 4100-207 Porto, Portugal
Pedro Oliveira
EPIUnit, ICBAS—Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Luís Lobo
Veterinary Hospital of Porto, 4250-475 Porto, Portugal
Ana Cristina Silvestre-Ferreira
Center for Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Carla S. Soares
Center for Animal and Veterinary Science (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Iván Rodríguez-Escolar
Zoonotic Diseases and One Health GIR, Biomedical Research Institute of Salamanca (IBSAL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Salamanca, Campus Miguel Unamuno, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
Elena Carretón
Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Rodrigo Morchón
Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa
Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Pharmacological Research and Drug Innovation (MedInUP), Veterinary Hospital of the University of Porto (UPVET), ICBAS—Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
José Alberto Montoya-Alonso
Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35413 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
The favourable geo-climatic conditions in Portugal have made it highly conducive to the development of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, leading to its identification as an endemic region. This nematode is rapidly spreading across Europe, particularly in northeastern countries. The objective of this study was to provide an updated assessment of the prevalence of this disease in Portuguese dogs, analysing the results in relation to epidemiological and geo-environmental factors, and to identify potential risk factors. A total of 1367 dogs from all continental and insular districts were included in the study and tested for D. immitis antigens. The overall prevalence was found to be 5.9%. It was observed that the disease is spreading northward, with previously unaffected districts now reporting cases, and that the prevalence in coastal districts exceeded that of inland ones. Notably, the Aveiro district exhibited a significant increase in D. immitis prevalence, while in certain districts such as Setúbal, Santarém, Madeira, or Faro, a stabilisation or decrease in prevalence was noted. Furthermore, outdoor and older dogs were found to be at a higher risk of infection. No positive cases were detected in the Azores. Most of the infected dogs were located in areas of high and medium risk of infection. This study underscores the importance of implementing pharmacological prophylaxis, vector control strategies, and public awareness programs to control the spread of this zoonotic disease.
