Heartworm prevalence in dogs versus cats: Multiple diagnostic modalities provide new insights.

ABSTRACT: The cornerstones of diagnosis of heartworm (HW) in dogs are the detection of circulating antigen from adult female Dirofilaria immitis or the visualization of microfilariae in whole blood. These tests are less sensitive in cats because of the feline immune response leading to low numbers of adult worms, but heartworm antibody tests are also licensed for use in cats. HW antibodies in cats are detectable when there has at least been larval development in the tissues, but positive antibody tests cannot distinguish between current and previous larval infections; thus, cats with positive antibody test results are considered currently or previously infected with D. immitis. The aim of the present study was to use multiple HW diagnostic modalities to maximize detection of infection

SUBMITTER: Hays KM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7458388 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature