Abstract text
INTRODUCTION Dirofilaria immits is a mosquito-borne filaroid helminth that affects domestic and wild carnivores, causing heartworm disease associated whith respiratory complications. This parasite is also known to cause a zoonotic (pulmonary dirofilariosis) and an emerging disease of wich dog can serve as the main animal reservoir. Little information is reported in Africa while the disease tends to spread in other continents. In Democratic Republic of Congo, dirofilariosis was not previously documented. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to confirm the presence of D. immitis in dog and to determine its prevalence in some areas of Kinshasa. MATERIELS ET METHODS A preliminary survey was conducted in 6 main illegal dog slaughter sites located in 6 of the 24 districts of Kinshasa. Of the total of 77 dogs (over ten months of age of different sexes) slaughtered, heart and lung were collected from each dog, transported and conserved at -20oC at the Laboratory of veterinary parasitology of the University of Kinshasa. After thawing, right heart was incised and analyzed for D. immitis adult worms. In all positive samples, worms were isolated, counted, measured and kept in 70% alcohol for future use. RESULTS In total, 4 samples were positive (P = 5.1%). Infestation ranged from one to a dozen of adult worms isolated from right atrium, right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. All positive samples came from two of the six slaughter sites. CONCLUSION This is the first report of D. immitis in Kinshasa. Besides animal health concerns, this situation must be considered as a public health threat and deserves special attention, in particular to identify the main risk factors for the transmission of this parasite in Kinshasa.