Feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection : a statistical elaboration of the duration of the infection and life expectancy in asymptomatic cats
Articolo
Data di Pubblicazione:
2008
Citazione:
Feline heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection : a statistical elaboration of
the duration of the infection and life expectancy in asymptomatic cats / C. Genchi, L. Venco, N. Ferrari, M. Mortarino, M. Genchi. - In: VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY. - ISSN 0304-4017. - 158:3(2008 Dec 10), pp. 177-182. [10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.09.005]
Abstract:
A study was conducted to assess the duration and the outcome (self-cure or death)
of feline heartworm infection and the life expectancy of infected cats. To be
included in the study, cats had to be positive for heartworm antibody (Ab) and
heartworm antigen (Ag) and had to demonstrate the presence of worms by
echocardiography. Self-cure was defined as (1) negative for heartworm Ag and (2)
no further visualization of worms by echocardiography. Of the 1962 eligible cats,
364 (18.5%) were positive for heartworm Ag and 131 were positive for heartworm Ag
and for echocardiography diagnosis (prevalence 6.7%). None of the cats was
microfilaremic. Of 43 asymptomatic cats included into the follow-up study with
owners' consent, 34 (79%) self-cured and nine (21%) died. Eleven (26%) cats
remained asymptomatic and self cured within 21-48 months, 23 (53%) showed
symptoms but self-cured within 18-49 months, 6 (14%) died within 8-41 months of
follow-up and 3 (7%) suddenly died after 38-40 months, which was related to
heartworm infection. The probability for death or sudden death increased
significantly with age at diagnosis, but no difference was detected by gender,
survival time after diagnosis, or the presence or absence of symptoms. The
presence/absence of symptoms showed significant interaction with the age at
diagnosis (i.e., symptomatic cats showed increasing duration of heartworm
infection along with age at diagnosis compared to that for asymptomatic cats.
Heartworm-infected cats survived significantly longer than heartworm-negative
cats affected by hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic renal failure, or
neoplastic diseases.
Tipologia IRIS:
01 - Articolo su periodico
Keywords:
Feline heartworm ; Dirofilaria immitis ; Survival ; Heartworm antigen ; Self-cure
Elenco autori:
C. Genchi, L. Venco, N. Ferrari, M. Mortarino, M. Genchi
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