Dirofilariosis is a cosmopolitan vector-borne transmitted disease whose causal agents in Europe are D. immitis and D. repens. Hosts are mainly domestic and wild canines and felines. While there is a great amount of data on dirofilariosis in pets (dogs and cats), information on the extension of this parasitosis in wild reservoirs is scarce. In the present study, we analyzed the carcasses of 451 carnivores that were legally shot during the hunting periods of 2006-2011 in 4 different geo-climatic areas of Krasnodar Krai, Southwestern Russian Federation. Two hundred and thirty-five foxes, 60 jackals, 90 raccoon dogs and 66 badgers were examined for the presence of D. immitis and D. repens. Worms were identified by morphological and morphometric characteristics, anatomical location and their identities being confirmed by PCR. One hundred and seven animals were parasitized by Dirofilaria spp. (23.7%). D. immitis was found in foxes, jackals and raccoon dogs with a global prevalence of 23.4%. D. repens was observed in jackals and badgers with a global prevalence of 10.3%. Mixed infections were observed only in 4 jackals. The highest prevalence was observed in raccoon dogs (31.1%), but no significant differences exist among the 4 species. Comparing the results obtained in each geo-climatic area, there is a higher prevalence in animals from the bay marshes (35.4%). These prevalences are, in general, higher than those reported in other countries from Central Europe and Balkans. Two new wild hosts in Europe, raccoon dog for D. immitis and badger for D. repens, were reported in Krasnodar Krai. Future research can contribute to establish the real risk of dirofilariosis in wild reservoirs for man and their pets in this region.
Keywords: Dirofilaria spp.; Krasnodar Krai; Wild reservoirs.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.