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Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere 2009; 37(02): 95-101
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1622777
Hund/Katze
Schattauer GmbH

Dirofilaria-repens-Befall in einem Schlittenhunde-Rudel im Land Brandenburg

Diagnose und Therapie der kaninen kutanen Dirofilariose Dirofilaria repens infestation in a sled dog kennel in the federal state of Brandenburg (Germany).Diagnosis and therapy of canine cutaneous dirofilariosis
R. Sassnau
1   Kleintierpraxis Dr. R. Sassnau, Berlin
,
V. Dyachenko
2   Institut für Parasitologie (Vorstand: Prof. Dr. A. Daugschies), Universität Leipzig
,
N. Pantchev
3   Vet Med Labor GmbH, Division of IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg
,
F. Stöckel
2   Institut für Parasitologie (Vorstand: Prof. Dr. A. Daugschies), Universität Leipzig
,
K. Dittmar
2   Institut für Parasitologie (Vorstand: Prof. Dr. A. Daugschies), Universität Leipzig
,
A. Daugschies
2   Institut für Parasitologie (Vorstand: Prof. Dr. A. Daugschies), Universität Leipzig
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Eingegangen: 02 March 2008

akzeptiert: 04 September 2008

Publication Date:
06 January 2018 (online)

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Zusammenfassung

Gegenstand und Ziel: In den letzten Jahren hat Dirofilaria (D.) repens erheblich an Bedeutung gewonnen. Infolge der globalen Erwärmung und des zunehmenden internationalen Haustierverkehrs ist eine weitere Ausbreitung des vektorgebundenen Parasiten aus seinen angestammten Habitaten Richtung Nordeuropa denkbar. Bei einem Tier aus einem Rudel von 29 Schlittenhunden wurden bei einer Routineuntersuchung Mikrofilarien im Blut festgestellt. Dies gab Anlass zur Untersuchung des ganzen Rudels. Ziele waren Art-diagnose der Filarien, Darstellung des Vorkommens der Filariose im Rudel und Prüfung einer neuen filariziden Behandlungsstrategie. Material und Methoden: Neben der Untersuchung auf Filarien erfolgte eine hämatologische Untersuchung. Zur Detektion der Mikrofilarien diente der Knott-Test. Aus den Proben der positiven Tiere wurde eine PCR zur Artdiagnose durchgeführt. Die für Mikrofilarien positiven Hunde wurden mit Doxycyclin und Ivermectin behandelt. Ergebnisse: Fünf von 29 Tieren waren mit D. repens infiziert. Ein Patient zeigte Hautveränderungen, die anderen Hunde präsentierten sich klinisch unauffällig. Bei den hämatologischen Parametern wiesen sie jedoch signifikante Abweichungen auf. Vier und 19 Wochen nach Abschluss der 6-wöchigen Behandlung waren mittels Knott-Test keine Mikrofilarien mehr nachweisbar. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Die kanine kutane Dirofilariose (D. repens) ist in Deutschland nicht mehr als ausschließlich importierte Krankheit anzusehen. Für die Wahl einer adäquaten Therapie hat eine Artdiagnose entscheidende Bedeutung. Die PCR stellt hierfür eine sichere Methode dar. Durch die Kombinationstherapie mit Ivermectin und Doxycyclin kann eine Amikrofilarämie erreicht werden. Da sich ein Befall der Endwirte nur selten klinisch äußert, sind prophylaktische Maßnahmen zur Limitierung einer Ausbreitung des Parasiten in potenziellen Risikogebieten zu diskutieren. Bei Hunden mit pruriginösen, nodulären Dermatitiden sollte D. repens differenzialdiagnostisch in Erwägung gezogen werden.

Summary

Objective: In the recent years the significance of Dirofilaria (D.) repens has increased. The spread of this vector borne parasite from its traditional habitats to central and northern Europe is conceivable and probably due to global warming and international pet traffic. In one of 29 dogs kept in the same kennel microfilariae were diagnosed in a routine check up. Therefore the whole kennel was subject to further exploration to identify the filarial species, to monitor frequency of filarial infection and to evaluate a new filaricidal treatment protocol. Material and methods: Screening for circulating microfilariae was performed by Knott test. Blood samples containing microfilariae were used to determine the respective species by PCR. Infected dogs were treated with doxycycline and ivermectin. Results: Five dogs were infected with D. repens. Only one of them showed dermatological signs, whereas the other four dogs did not display any clinical symptoms. However, laboratory examination revealed significant changes of haematological parameters. Four and 19 weeks after termination of the six week treatment period no microfilariae could be detected in blood samples. Conclusion and clinical relevance: It appears that canine cutaneous filariasis (D. repens) may be transmitted in Germany and is thus not restricted to imported dogs or travelling pets only. Species determination, preferentially by PCR, is essential to select an appropriate treatment protocol. We could demonstrate that the combined therapy with doxycycline and ivermectin is suitable to achieve amicrofilariaemia in naturally infected dogs with cutaneous dirofilariosis. Since infestation of the definitive host produces clinical signs only in some cases, D. repens-infection is rarely perceived. Preventive measures to restrict the spread of the parasite should be discussed in areas where dogs are potentially at risk. In patients with pruritic nodular dermatitis D. repens should be taken into consideration for differential diagnosis.

Schlüsselwörter

Dirofilariose - D. repens - Norddeutschland - Knott-Test - PCR - Doxycyclin - Ivermectin

Key words

Dirofilariasis - D. repens - North Germany - Knott-Test - PCR - doxycycline - iver-mectin
 

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