TY - JOUR AU - Mortarino, Michele AU - Musella, Vincenzo AU - Costa, Valeria AU - Genchi, Claudio AU - Cringoli, Giuseppe AU - Rinaldi, Laura PY - 2008/05/01 Y2 - 2024/03/28 TI - GIS modeling for canine dirofilariosis risk assessment in central Italy JF - Geospatial Health JA - Geospat Health VL - 2 IS - 2 SE - Original Articles DO - 10.4081/gh.2008.248 UR - https://www.geospatialhealth.net/gh/article/view/248 SP - 253-261 AB - A survey was conducted in an area of central Italy in order to study the prevalence of <em>Dirofilaria immitis</em> and <em>D. repens</em> in dogs. Blood samples were collected from 283 dogs and examined using a modified Knott's technique. In addition, in order to detect <em>D. immitis</em> occult infection, 203 serum samples were also analysed for <em>D. immitis</em> antigen detection. The results were analyzed in order to evaluate the behavioural and attitudinal risk factors. A geographical information system (GIS) for the study area was constructed, utilizing the following data layers: administrative boundaries, elevation, temperature, rainfall and humidity. Microfilariae were detected in 32 of the 283 dogs surveyed, constituting a total <em>Dirofilaria</em> prevalence of 11.3%. In particular, 20 dogs (7.1%) were positive for <em>D. immitis</em> and 12 dogs (4.2%) for <em>D. repens</em> microfilariae. One case of <em>D. immitis</em> occult infection was also detected. Choroplethic municipal maps were drawn within the GIS in order to display the distribution of each <em>Dirofilaria</em> species in the study area. Statistical analysis showed a significant association between <em>Dirofilaria</em> infection and animal attitude (hunting/truffle dogs showed a higher prevalence compared to guard/pet dogs). A higher prevalence was also recorded in 2 to 5-years old dogs. Furthermore a GIS-based modelling of climatic data, collected from 5 meteorological stations in the study area, was performed to estimate the yearly number of <em>D. immitis</em> generations in the mosquito vector. The results of the model as depicted by GIS analysis was highly concordant with the territorial distribution of positive dogs and showed that <em>D. immitis</em> spreading is markedly influenced by season. The potential transmission period in the study area was found to be confined to summer months with a peak in July and August, as expected for a temperate region where summer season is the most favourable period for the parasite. ER -