Molecular Epidemiology of Canine Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in Culex pipiens Mosquitoes Collected from Tehran

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology

مقالات آماده انتشار، پذیرفته شده، انتشار آنلاین از تاریخ 26 مهر 1404   

نوع مقاله: Research Article

شناسه دیجیتال (DOI): 10.22067/ijvst.2025.94000.1566

نویسندگان

Seyed Reza Hosseini^{* 1}؛ Milad Hamzehali Tehrani²؛ Marzieh Kefayat³

¹Department of veterinary medicine, Shk. C. Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.

²Department of Pathobiology, faculty of veterinary, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

³Department of Pathobiology, faculty of veterinary, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ka-raj, Iran.

چکیده

Dirofilaria immitis is a nematode parasite that can inhabit and develop within the heart and pulmonary arteries of canids, felids, also in humans. The microfilariae of this parasite circulate in the blood of the host and are transmitted to new hosts through the bites of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. Culex pipiens, commonly known as the common house mosquito, is a native urban pest species. Since the early 20th century, various control campaigns have been implemented across European countries targeting this species. It exhibits high ecological plasticity, resulting in complex feeding behaviors and vector potentials. This study was conducted during the June to September of 2024 in Tehran. A total of 100 Culex pipiens mosquitoes were collected from different areas of the city and examined for infection with Dirofilaria immitis using molecular methods (PCR). The results showed that 15 of the collected mosquitoes were carriers of D. immitis microfilariae. Considering the results of the present study, the high potential for infection in the studied areas, and the importance of D. immitis-associated disease, it is expected that maintaining hygiene and cleanliness of mosquito-prone areas and dog shelters, along with controlling mosquito populations, especially in humid regions during warm seasons, will prevent the spread of this zoonotic disease among dogs and humans.

کلیدواژه‌ها

Microfilariae؛ Dirofilaria immitis؛ Culex pipiens؛ PCR