The Prevalance of Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856) in Dogs and Investigations on Potential Vector Mosquito Species in Kars and Igdir

This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs and to inquire about potential vector mosquito species in the provinces of Kars and Igdir. With this aim, blood samples were collected from 240 dogs. Fifty two of 240 dogs (21.7%) were found to be infected with D. immitis by Membrane Filtration-Acide Phosphates Histochemical Staining, 72 dogs (30%) by ELISA, and also 60 (25%) dogs by using PCR methods. It has been determined that the prevalence of D. immitis in Kars and Igdir provinces was 35.8% (86/240) when the positive results which were evaluated by one of methods used in the diagnosis of this parasite, and occult infection was determined in 26 dogs (36.1%) by ELISA. In addition to that, two dogs from two localities were placed in different mosquito nets for one night in Kars and Igdir provinces where blood samples would be collected, and adult mosquito species were collected at following day, once a month in July, August and September, 2009. While 49 Culex theileri, 1 Aedes dorsalis, 1 Culex sp., and 1 Anopheles maculipennis mosquito species were collected in Kars province, 126 Ae. dorsalis, 34 Cx. theileri, 12 Aedes vexans, 4 An. maculipennis, and also 1 Culex pipiens mosquito species were collected from the nets in Igdir province.