Determination of wolbachia in dirofilaria species in dogs

This study was carried out between June 2007/August 2009 to determine the prevalence of filarial infections and to research Wolbachia in Dirofilaria spp. in 150 dogs at Aydın and İzmir region. Blood samples were examined by native, modified knott, membrane filtration techniques and PCR assay in order to detect the Dirofilaria spp. and acid phosphatase histochemical staining was performed for this aim. Three positive dogs were examined with necropsy. The origin of dogs, date and time (1030-1800) of blood collection, age, sex, being owned/stray, being outdoor/indoor, and the clinical signs (if there is) and the number of dogs were recorded. The prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis was determined as 12.3% in Aydın region. There were no positive dogs in İzmir region. Among the controlled regions, the maximum infection rate was found in Germencik-Aydın district (80%) and infection rate in Merkez, Köşk and Umurlu was 6,66% in each region. PCR was found to be most effective metod for determining microphlerial parasites in perpheral blood, within the microscopic examination techniques modified knott and membrane filtration methods were found to be more effective than naïve microscopic examination.The microfilaries of Dirofilaria immitis observed to exhibit sluggish and undulating movements and not to move across the objective field in the native technique. In the modified knott and membrane filtration techniques, microfilaries determined to be unsheathed, tapered conically from the anterior extremity and straight tailed. In the acid phosphatase histochemical staining, the enzyme activity was restricted to EP and AP zones. Dot like staining was observed in these zones. The average length was 254,1 µm, distance between anterior end-EP, EP-AP, AP-posterior end and thickness was 79,2; 119,8; 55,1 and 4,1 µm, respectively. The ratios of these zones to the body length were 30.7% and 79.2% respectively and the average length and thickness of 72 adult female collected from hearth after necropsy was found to be 284 and 1,21 mm respectively. the average length and thickness of adult male collected from hearth after necropsy was found to be 178 and 0,78 mm respectively.The PCR assay was highly efficient molecular test, besides this within microscopic methods modified knott and membrane filtration were considered to be more suitable than native examination for the detection and identification of microfilaria in peripheral blood.All of the collected adult Dirofilaria immitis were examined for presence Wolbachia spp. With PCR test and all samples were found positive.