Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and Dipetalonema reconditum infections in Missouri dogs
Pratt, S.E.; Corwin, R.M.; Selby, L.A.; Rhoades, J.D.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 179(6): 592-593
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 7196395 Document Number: 169777
A statewide veterinary mail survey in Missouri, USA, revealed Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae in 447 of 11 823 dogs (3.8%), Dipetalonema reconditum microfilariae in 14 (0.1%) and microfilariae of both species in 8 (<0.1%), the dogs having been examined between January and September, 1979. A questionnaire for 1978 gave an 8.4% prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, based on 36 463 dogs. Of 493 shelter dogs from central Missouri and Mississippi river communities, 23 (4.7%) were positive for D.reconditum, the same number for Dirofilaria immitis and 2 (0.4%) for both species. The prevalences were higher at Mississippi river. The criteria for differentiating the microfilariae of the 2 species are discussed.