Survey of Canine Dirofilaria immitis Infection in New Caledonia

Canine dirofilariosis is a frequent parasitic disease in New-Caledonia. A survey of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection among dogs from the cities of Tontouta, Nandaï and Nouméa, was performed in March 2009 using two antigen test kits; the microwell ELISA test: DiroCHE (Synbiotics Europe) and the Rapid Immuno Migration (RIM) test: WITNESS DIROFILARIA (Synbiotics Europe). Blood samples were collected from 64 dogs: 49 strays and 15 military working dogs. The military dogs received a permanent chemoprophylaxis (moxidectin). In 11 stray dogs, both tests were positive (22.4%). All the military dogs were negative, showing efficiency of chemoprophaxis. Results were discrepant in 6 dogs, negative with one test and doubtful with the other. Antigen heartworm test kits are available and reliable diagnostic tools. They are useful to evaluate the efficiency of chemoprophylaxis and to detect infected animals in order to treat them and to prevent the spreading of the disease

A cardiac and subcutaneous canine dirofilariosis outbreak in a kennel in central France

Canine dirofilarioses are nematode infections caused by two species of the genus Dirofilaria: D. immitis and D. repens. We describe here an outbreak of D. immitis and D. repens infection in military working dogs (MWDs) housed in a kennel in the Indre department (centre of France). Out of a total of 17 dogs, 6 (35.2%) tested positive for D. immitis, D. repens or both parasites. Infested dogs were treated and prophylactic measures were implemented for the entire kennel staff. To our knowledge, this is the first documented description of an outbreak of canine cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in the center of France, unlike in the south of this country, where D. immitis and D. repens dirofilariasis are enzootic. In France, as mosquito vectors expand their territory and new non-native vectors are introduced, it is likely that the distribution area of these two diseases of domestic and wild carnivores will be wider and underestimated

Chemoprophylaxis and treatment of African canine trypanosomosis in French military working dogs : a retrospective study

African trypanosomosis is a major threat to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the disease mainly concerns cattle, dogs can also be infected by Thypanosoma spp. transmitted by tsetse flies. Between 1997 and 2003, the parasite Trypanosoma congolense was identified in French military dogs sent to Africa. On infected dogs, the diagnosis was made during the mission or just after the return to France, depending on when the symptoms appeared. The high incidence and mortality rate among these dogs led veterinarians of the French Health Service to implement a systematic chemoprophylaxis beginning in 2004. Between 2004 and 2011, the chemoprophylaxis was carried out on more than 400 military dogs. The protocol of chemoprophylaxis relies on the use of isometamidium chloride (Trypamidium (R), Merial). The drug has been used successfully at the dosage of 1 mg/kg body weight by deep intramuscular injection, every two or three months. In addition, dogs are given collars impregnated with deltamethrin (Scalibor (R), MSD Animal Health). Isometamidium chloride was also used successfully in the treatment of military dogs infected with T. congolense, with a full recovery and without any relapses

Detection of canine vector-borne filariasis and their Wolbachia endosymbionts in French Guiana

In French Guiana, canine heartworm disease is well known, but the diversity of filarial parasites of dogs remains largely unknown. A total of 98 canine blood samples from Cayenne and Kourou were assessed by a blood wet mount preparation, heartworm antigen test and molecular exploration of filarioid and Wolbachia DNAs, followed by a multiplex species-specific qPCR's identification and a subsequent sequencing analysis. Thereafter, a phylogeny based on maximum likelihood was carried out to facilitate specific identification. Five dogs were microfilaremic. Heartworm antigens were detected in 15 (15.3%) dogs. Of these, six (6.1%) were considered as occult infections as neither microfilariae nor Dirofilaria immitis DNA were detected. The 11 (11.2%) D. immitis isolates corresponded to a low virulent strain. Six of the D. immitis isolates were positive for Wolbachia endosymbionts of D. immitis belonging to the clade C DNA. Acanthocheilonema reconditum DNA was detected in 3 (3.1%) samples. Of these latter, one was found co-infected with the Brugia sp. genotype and the DNA of the clade D of the Wolbachia endosymbiont of Brugia species. This latter was also detected in two filarioid DNA-free samples. Finally, two samples were positive for Cercopithifilaria bainae genotype, which is distinct from those identified in Europe. The present study highlights the urgent need to implement chemoprophylaxis associated with anti-Wolbachia drugs to control these potential zoonoses

Challenging Investigation of a Norovirus Foodborne Disease Outbreak During a Military Deployment in Central African Republic

International audienceIn January 2016, a large-scale outbreak of acute gastroenteritis was reported among French armed forces deployed in the Central African Republic. Challenging investigations, conducted from France, made it possible to identify a norovirus genogroup II in both stool and food samples, confirming a norovirus foodborne disease outbreak. Infected food handler management is discussed