Cutaneous dirofilariosis
transmitted by mosquitoes
Cutaneous dirofilariosis
Cutaneous dirofilariosis is caused by Dirofilaria repens, a pathogenic worm transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes. Both pets and people are at risk of being bitten and infected. A single mosquito bite is enough to trigger the infection. The worm can grow under the dog's skin causing nodules (from 0.5 to 3 cm) which are most often painless and not itchy. Since most of the dogs show no sign of the infection, the disease often remain silent.
The patients that develop skin nodules may need a surgery to extract the worm and to avoid health complications.
Prevention strategy includes:
• Combined use of a repellent parasiticide with proven efficacy against mosquitoes and chemoprophylaxis using macrocyclic lactones as per your veterinarian advice.
• Remove mosquito favorite developing sites near your home, such as stagnant waters.
Geographical distribution
The regional distribution of this skin vector-borne disease in dogs is consistent with climatic conditions for development of the worms and of the competent mosquitoes. Therefore, Dirofilaria repens has increased in prevalence in areas where it has already been reported and its distribution range has expanded into new areas of Europe for example.
Globalization, climate change and expansion of vectors are factors favouring the spread of canine vector-borne diseases. If you want to know the vector-borne diseases present in your area, use the real-time world map!
Discover more about the importance of cutaneous dirofilariosis and the spreading of vector-borne diseases with Pr. Laura Kramer and Pr. Marco Genchi (University of Parma – Italy).
Cutaneous dirofilariosis map
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Learn more about the diseases
Babesiosis
Canine babesiosis is a vector-borne disease caused by Babesia spp. protozoa.
These parasites are mainly transmitted by ticks.
Different species of Babesia can be involved and may require different therapeutic protocols.
The distribution of the species is highly linked to the distribution of their respective tick vectors.
For example, in Europe, B. canis is spread by Dermacentor ticks and recently spreading North.
Lyme borreliosis
Canine Lyme borreliosis is a Vector-Borne Disease caused by Borrelia spp. bacteria transmitted by Ixodes ticks.
Different species of Borrelia can be involved depending on the geographic location.
For example, while only B. burgdorferi sensu stricto was found in North America, many other species can infect dogs in Europe.
Dogs are not a competent reservoir of the pathogen but they represent a useful sentinel reflecting the risk of infection of their owners.
Cutaneous dirofilariosis
Canine cutaneous dirofilariosis is a zoonotic Vector-Borne Disease caused by a nematode parasite named Dirofilaria repens.
This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes while they bite and canids are the major reservoir.
Humans can also be infected by the vector but it's a benign infection.
Heartworm
Canine heartworm is a life-threatening Vector-Borne Disease caused by a nematode parasite named Dirofilaria immitis.
This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes while they bite.
Despite considerable efforts for prevention, the disease keeps spreading in different zones of the world.
Leishmaniosis
Canine visceral leishmaniosis is a vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan pathogen named Leishmania infantum.
Although other routes of transmission are possible, this parasite is mainly transmitted by the bites of small phlebotomine sand flies.
It's a severe zoonotic disease spreading across the world.
Anaplasmosis
Canine anaplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an intra-cellular bacteria (Anaplasma phagocytophilum or A. platys). Also called tick-fever, this pathogen is transmitted by Ixodes ticks. The first signs can be observed after an incubation of 1 to 2 weeks after the infectious bite.
Ehrlichiosis
Canine ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne disease caused by an intra-cellular bacteria (Ehrlichia spp.).
This pathogen is usually transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks.
Transmission can occur within the first three hours of the tick infestation.
Clinical signs can be severe and and tick control is the first line of prevention.
Tick-borne encephalitis - TBE
Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a vector-borne disease caused by a flavivirus (family Flaviviridae).
This pathogen is transmitted within a few minutes through Ixodes tick bites.
In addition to fever, tick-borne encephalitis infection is characterized by changes in behavior and neurologic signs.
The severe form is often fatal for dogs.
This vector-borne disease is predominantly found in central, eastern and northern Europe.