A nationwide serological survey for Dirofilaria immitis in companion cats in the United States of America: 3.5% antibody and 0.3% antigen positivity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Feline heartworm disease (HWD) is a complex and often misdiagnosed disease in cats, caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Despite its significant impact, studies reporting the prevalence of D. immitis in apparently healthy pet cats in the USA are lacking.

Methods

To investigate feline heartworm seroprevalence in apparently healthy pet cats in the USA, serum samples (n = 2165) collected from cats across 47 states and Washington District of Columbia were analyzed for D. immitis antibody (Heska Corp.) and antigen (DiroCHEK®; Zoetis Inc.) with and without acid treatment of the samples.

Results

Antibodies to D. immitis antibodies were identified in 3.5% (76/2165) of cats from 26 states, with a significantly higher prevalence in cats from the weste

SUBMITTER: Murillo DFB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10463928 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature