162205 20251017144607.0 doi 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100541 sideral 123298 ART-2021-123298 eng Villanueva-Saz, S. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0001-6209-4282 Prevalence of microfilariae, antigen and antibodies of feline dirofilariosis infection (Dirofilaria immitis) in the Zaragoza metropolitan area, Spain 2021 Access copy available to the general public Unrestricted Feline heartworm disease is a vector-borne parasitical disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. Heartworm infection in dogs is prevalent in the Mediterranean countries. Information about the geographical distribution and epidemiological features of D. immitis infection in cats is scarce, particularly in urban stray cats that live within endemic regions for canine heartworm disease. The aim of the current study was to determine the seroprevalence of antigen and antibodies to D. immitis in feral cats in Zaragoza city, an endemic region of Spain. For this purpose, blood samples were examined for microfilariae using a direct blood smear technique and the modified Knott test. Two serological techniques for anti-D. immitis antibody detection (Solo Step® FH and in-house ELISA) and three different commercial antigen tests (DiroChek®, MegaELISA® DIRO Antigen and FASTest® HW) were performed. Blood samples from 250 stray cats were tested: 61 cats (24.40%) tested positive by the in-house ELISA, and 9 cats gave positive (3.6%) results with Solo Step® FH. The global seroprevalence of D. immitis in the feline population of the studied area of Zaragoza was 25.20% (63/250) including Solo Step® FH result and in-house ELISA. The blood exam for all samples was negative when evaluating for microfilariae and not a single cat was positive for antigen testing. This study demonstrates the presence of D. immitis infection in Zaragoza city. Veterinarians working in endemic areas should be aware of this infection in cats at risk and their susceptibility. info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess by-nc-nd https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/deed.es 0.52 2021 Veterinary (miscellaneous) 2021 Q1 Parasitology 2021 Q1 2.6 2021 info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion Giner, J. Verde, M. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0003-2957-1379 Yzuel, A. González, A. (orcid)0000-0002-8727-0323 Lacasta, D. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-7822-6646 Marteles, D. Fernández, A. Universidad de Zaragoza (orcid)0000-0002-2557-4890 1009 617 Universidad de Zaragoza Dpto. Patología Animal Área Medicina y Cirugía Animal 23 (2021), 100541 [5 pp.] Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports 2405-9390 411667 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162205/files/texto_completo.pdf Versión publicada 2799720 http://zaguan.unizar.es/record/162205/files/texto_completo.jpg?subformat=icon icon Versión publicada oai:zaguan.unizar.es:162205 articulos driver 2025-10-17-14:15:52 ARTICLE