Dirofilaria immitis: A New Potential Pathogen for the Endangered Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Abstract

Heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis is a vector-borne disease that affects many species of both domestic and wild carnivores. We investigated the seroprevalence of D. immitis infections in one of the most endangered felids in the world, the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus), which currently occupy natural restricted and protected areas in southern of Spain. Eight out of 191 animals were seropositive to the analyses of IgG antibodies anti-D. immitis and anti WSPr (Wolbachia surface protein recombinant) (4.2%). These data suggest that both free and captive animals could be at risk of infection, which could be important on his conservation.