Select Currency
Translate this page

PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS

Format: MS WORD  |  Chapter: 1-5  |  Pages: 42  |  2513 Users found this project useful  |  Price NGN5,000

  DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROJECT

PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS

 

ABSTRACT

The study on prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis was conducted in Zaria. A total of three hundred and seventeen dogs were examined from seven sampling sites; Samaru, Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada, Wusasa, Basawa, Kongo and Gyellesu from April to December 2012. 5mls of blood from the branchiocephalic vein was aseptically collected from each dog and was stored in sample bottle containing ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA, 1mg/ml) and were transported to the laboratory in a cold box and analyze immediately on arrival, using modified knotts method. The overall prevalence of confirmed cases of Dirofilaria immitis infection in the dog population in Zaria was (48) 15.1%. Age specific prevalence showed that, infection was detected throughout the age 1 – 2 years old to 9 years above. Although the 1 – 2 years showed a high rate of infection in 66 dogs (21.2%) than the other ages respectively. The male dogs were relatively more infected than the females, 40 (81.9%) and 8 (8.3%) respectively. The disease was detected in all the sites. The foreign breeds were found to be free from the infection, these is probably due to the fact that special care are given to them. Prevalence was higher in un-caged and caged dogs. 34 (15.2%) and 14 (14.9%) respectively. There was not significant difference (p>0.05) in prevalence. A higher percentage of the positive cases showed low haemoglobin level 8 (21.6%), The reason could be that the infection causes anemia which in turn affects the level of hemoglobin likewise the total protein count 16 (13.2%). WBC count increased in positive cases which is indicative of Dirofilaria infection while the RBC is low in positive cases 7(14.8%).These indicates that the presence of the parasite does not affect the RBC. It not significant (p > 0.05) in blood counts. Differential count of the WBC showed that the presence of the infection led to the release of a greater number of white blood cells such as Eosinophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes and Neutrophils. Analysis of the blood parameters showed positive correlation between the packed cell volume and haemoglobin, packed cell volume and red blood cell, haemoglobin and red blood cells, while the Neutrophil and lymphocytes showed negative correlation. The result of the study shows that Dirofilaria immitis infection is prevalent among dogs in Zaria, and indicates that D. immitis infection may be of public health concern then wither to envisaged.

 

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTON

1.1   Background TO Study

Dirofilaria is a nematode parasite that is widely enzootic in carnivores especially dog. It is of the family filariidae (Soulsby, 1982). There are two known species of importance in dogs: Dirofilaria repens (D. repens) and Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis), of which D. immitis is more important and is commonly called the dog heart worm. The adult worms are found in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries of dogs and mammals (Gerald and Larry, 1989; Urguhart et al., 2003) and are responsible for delabitating condition known as canine heart worm (CHW) disease or dirofilarosis. Dirofilarosis cause by D. immitis is zoonotic and is transmitted by the mosquito vector (Urguhar et al., 2003). Heartworms go through several live stages before they become adults to infect the pulmonary artery of the host animal. The worms require the mosquito as an intermediate host in order to complete their life cycle. The rate of development in the mosquito is temperature dependent, requiring approximately two weeks of temperature at above 27oC (80oF). Below a threshold temperature of 14oC, development cannot occur, and the cycle will be halted (Knight, 2000). As a result, transmission is limited to warm months and duration of the transmission season varies geographically. The period between the initial infection when the dog is bitten by a mosquito and the maturation of the worms into adults living in the heart takes six(6) to seven(7) months and its known as the “prepatent period”. Clinically, the signs of D. immitis infection in dogs are laziness, exercise intolerance, and chronic soft cough with haemophisis. In later stage there are dyspnoe, sometimes edema of the lower limbs and escites, haemoglobnuria, icterus, and collapse of the host usually due to venacaual syndrome (Urguhart et al., 2003).

Canine heartworm infection can be diagnosed based on the clinical signs of cardiovascular dysfunction; demonstration of microfilaria in the blood; thoracic radiography showing thickening pulmonary artery and/ or a positive enzyme linked immunosurbent Assay (E.L.I.S.A) immunochromatography test system. At postmortem, presence of worms in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery are diagnostic.  Dirofilariasis manifests either as subcutaneous nodules or asymptomatic parenchyma disease in human. These lesions are often misdiagnosed as malignant tumors, requiring invasive investigation and surgery (Bionote, 2010).  Heartworm has now spread to nearly all locations where the mosquito vector is found. Transmission of the parasite occurs in all of the United States (cases has been reported in Alaska and the warmer regions of Canada). The highest infection rates are found within 150 miles of the coast from Texas to New Jersey, and along the Mississippi river and its major tributaries. It has also been found in South America, Southern Europe, Southern Asia, The Middle East, Australia, Korea and Japan. ( Edward, 2003). In Nigeria, (Oduye et al, 2002) stated that heartworms (D. immitis) have been reported in southern Nigeria but not in the northern Nigeria. However, Anyanwu et al. (1996), reported the isolation of D. immitis-like microfilaria in four Nigerian dogs in Zaria. The four cases were mixed infection with D. repens. In a later study, he reported the abundance of mosquito in the study area namely; culex papeins spp. Aedes aegypti and Aedes vitatus (Anyanwu, 2000). Virtually, all these species of mosquitoes are potential vector of D. immitis. In recent past, parasites invasion have been on the increase and constitute a threat to public health.

The increasing association between man and dogs and the recent general insecurity in the country has necessitated the importation of exotic breeds of dogs from Dirofilariasis endemic area particularly to the homes of wealthy Nigerians(Benjamin Edward, 2003). The dog heartworm is of negligible public health risk, because it is unusual for humans to become infected. In addition, human infections are usually of little or no consequences, although rarely, an infected human may show signs of respiratory disease. In most cases, however the heartworm dies shortly after arriving in the human lungs and a nodule known as a granuloma, forms around the dead worm as it is being killed and absorbed. This may well be the most significant medical consequence of human infection by the dog heartworm (Benjamin and Edward, 2003). The goal of this study is to estimate the prevalence status of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs in Zaria, Kaduna state, Nigeria. Apart from the work done in Southern Nigeria by Oduye and Dipeolu, 2002 and the reported cases of abundances of mosquitoes in Zaria by Anyanwu, 2000 to the best of our knowledge, there is no report on the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Zaria, Kaduna State. As reported by WHO (1995), such a comprehensive study is necessary because it is important to know whether an organism causing disease in a given area is of the biotype as in the local sand fly vectors or in putative animal reservoirs. Furthermore, In developed countries, Dirofilaria immitis infection has long been recognized as a health hazard to dogs and cats and is been controlled vigorously because of its zoonotic significance to human (McCall et al., 2004). According to Idowu (2002), control strategies require information on prevalence, incidence, and health status of the disease. These facts explained the need to undertake this research.

 1.2    Statement of the Research Proble

Since D. immitis was first reported in the South by Oduye and Dipeolu (1976) and the report of suspected cases by Anyanwu et al. (1996; 2000). The disease prevalence especially in dogs has remained poorly researched and reported. Therefore, the extent of the significance of the disease remain unknown in many parts of Nigeria including Zaria.

1.3    Justification

The Dirofilaria immitis of dogs are of public health importance, as their burden can cause much morbidity not only to dogs, but also to human. The finding of this research will therefore, provide useful data to the pool of information needed for effective intervention programmes and subsequent control of the Dirofilaria immitis infection in Zaria and Nigeria generally. It is hoped that the results of this study will further provide reliable data for the determination of the prevalence, and public health significance of the disease towards meaningful planning of appropriate control measures against the disease in the study area and beyond.

1.4  Aim

The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection in dogs in Zaria, Kaduna State.

1.5   Objectives

The major objectives of the study are to:

1. determine the prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) in dogs in Zaria, Kaduna State.

2. Determine D. Immitis infection in relation to the sex, age and breed in dogs in Zaria.

3. determine the factors that predisposing dogs to Dirofilaria immitis in Zaria.

1.6   Hypotheses

1. There is no heartworm infection in dogs in Zaria.

2. D.immitis infection is not significantly influenced by the sex, age and the breed of dogs in Zaria.

3. There are no risk factors to heartworm disease in Zaria.

1.7  Limitation of the study

The variation in the sample sizes across the various sites in Zaria was caused by a number of unforeseen circumstances. Such factors include differences in population sizes of dogs in the sites, denial of access to selected available dogs by dog owners, absence of dogs owners at home at the time of visit, absence of dogs at home at the time of visitation, some dogs are violent, even to the dog owners and to the point that they have to be left aside and lack of time, finance and research logistic problems .The problems could possibly introduce some bias in the sampling but Theis (2005) attributed such bias to non-compensating errors because increasing the size of the sample cannot reduce them.

  DOWNLOAD THE FULL PROJECT

PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS

Not The Topic You Are Looking For?



For Quick Help Chat with Us Now!

+234 813 292 6373

+233 55 397 8005


HOW TO GET THE COMPLETE PROJECT ON PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS INSTANTLY

  • Click on the Download Button above.
  • Select any option to get the complete project immediately.
  • Chat with Our Instant Help Desk on +234 813 292 6373 for further assistance.
  • All projects on our website are well researched by professionals with high level of professionalism.

Here's what our amazing customers are saying

Abubakar Iliyasu Hashim
Federal college of education pankshin affiliated to university of jos
I am highly impressed with your unquantifiable efforts for the leaners, more grace to your elbow.I will inform my colleagues about your website.
Very Good
Peace From Unilag
I cried not knowing how to go about my project but the day i searched online and saw iprojectmaster, i called and got my full project in less than 15minutes, i was shocked!
Excellent
Musa From Ahmadu Bello University
Thank you iprojectmaster for saving my life, please keep it up and may God continue to bless you people.
Excellent
Abdul Mateen Iddrisu
UDS
At first I taught is a site full of fraudsters until I saw my project in my Gmail after my payment.. THANK YOU IPROJECTMASTER and May God the almighty bless u guys abundantly
Excellent
Uduak From Uniuyo
IProjectMaster is the best project site for students. Their works are unique and free of plagiarism!
Excellent
Abraham Ogbanje
NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
At first I was afraid.. But I discovered they are legit. I will bring more patronize
Very Good
Emmanuel Essential
Kogi state University
I actually took the risk,you know first time stuff But i was suprised i received as requested. I love you guys 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟
Very Good
Gbadamosi Solomon Oluwabunmi
Lasu
Swift delivery within 9 minutes of payment. Thank you project master
Excellent
Joseph M. Yohanna
Thanks a lot, am really grateful and will surely tell my friends about your website.
Excellent
Merry From BSU
I am now a graduate because of iprojectmaster.com, God Bless you guys for me.
Excellent

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How do I get this complete project on PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS?

Simply click on the Download button above and follow the procedure stated.

I have a fresh topic that is not on your website. How do I go about it?

How fast can I get this complete project on PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS?

Within 15 minutes if you want this exact project topic without adjustment

Is it a complete research project or just materials?

It is a Complete Research Project i.e Chapters 1-5, Abstract, Table of Contents, Full References, Questionnaires / Secondary Data

What if I want to change the case study for PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA IMMITIS IN DOGS, What do i do?

Chat with Our Instant Help Desk Now: +234 813 292 6373 and you will be responded to immediately

How will I get my complete project?

Your Complete Project Material will be sent to your Email Address in Ms Word document format

Can I get my Complete Project through WhatsApp?

Yes! We can send your Complete Research Project to your WhatsApp Number

What if my Project Supervisor made some changes to a topic i picked from your website?

Call Our Instant Help Desk Now: +234 813 292 6373 and you will be responded to immediately

Do you assist students with Assignment and Project Proposal?

Yes! Call Our Instant Help Desk Now: +234 813 292 6373 and you will be responded to immediately

What if i do not have any project topic idea at all?

Smiles! We've Got You Covered. Chat with us on WhatsApp Now to Get Instant Help: +234 813 292 6373

How can i trust this site?

We are well aware of fraudulent activities that have been happening on the internet. It is regrettable, but hopefully declining. However, we wish to reinstate to our esteemed clients that we are genuine and duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as "PRIMEDGE TECHNOLOGY". This site runs on Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), therefore all transactions on this site are HIGHLY secure and safe!