Comprehensive National Survey of Feline Dirofilariasis in Spain

Abstract

Canine angiostrongylosis is an emerging disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum, that mainly affects wild carnivores and dogs. In Spain, there are studies reporting infections in foxes, wolves, and badgers in different regions of the country. However, there are hardly any publications on the prevalence in dogs. The aim of this study was to complete and update the epidemiologic map of A. vasorum in dogs in Spain. A total of 5619 canine blood samples from all autonomous cities and provinces of Spain were collected and tested for the presence of A. vasorum circulating antigens. The overall prevalence of canine angiostrongylosis in Spain was 1.39%. No significant differences were found by sex or age but significant differences between outdoor and indoor/outdoor dogs were found. High prevalences were also observed in the northern third of the country, where the oceanic climate prevails, being humid, rainy and with abundant vegetation, that favours the proliferation of the intermediate hosts. The results suggest that canine angiostrongylosis is heterogeneously present in a large part of the territory, demonstrating its expansion throughout the country and, therefore, awareness and prevention campaigns for this disease should be promoted