Vector Borne Diseases in Mid Western Argentina, First Report of Setaria Equina [Nematoda: Onchocercidae] in A Horse [Equus caballus]

Abstract

Vector borne diseases are spreading worldwide. Companion animals can be useful as sentinels for disease surveillance. Setaria spp. are filarial nematodes transmitted by Aedes spp. and Culex spp. Setaria equina has been reported in Asia, Africa and North America. This zoonotic nematode is frequently asymptomatic in horses, except during its erratic migrations. Filarial worms have a tropism for ocular and nervous tissues, having important implications in veterinary and public health. In mid west Argentina, Dirofilaria immitis has already been described affecting a woman and dogs. There are no published reports of Setaria equina in Argentina. During spring of 2016, an adult mare died and at necropsy, nematodes were found in the peritoneal cavity. These parasites were morphologically identified as Setaria equina. The occurrence of this disease in the region highlights the importance of entomologic and sanitary surveillance.