• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.179-183
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• 2018

A survey on the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis infection among 2,197 Jindo dogs (371 males, 1,826 females) was conducted from 2011 to 2015 using an antigen test (SNAP 4Dx plus, IDEXX, USA). The overall seroprevalence of D. immitis infection in Jindo dogs was 21.8% (479/2,197), and an increase was observed in the seroprevalence of infection from 19.4% in 2011 to 25.8% in 2015. The infection rates were higher among male dogs (32.1%, 119/371) than female dogs (19.7%, 360/1,826)(P<0.01). The infection rates of D. immitis in Jindo dogs at the age of under 1 years-old, 1 to 2 years-old, 2 to 3 years-old and over 3 years old were 10.7% (76/710), 20.0% (190/950), 36.4% (156/428) and 52.3% (57/109), respectively. The older dogs had higher infection rates than the younger dogs (P<0.01). This study indicates that the prevalence rate of D. immitis in Jindo dogs is higher than previously reported in studies which utilized an antigen test.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.327-332
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• 2013

A survey of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection among 102 Jindo dogs was performed from September to October 1995, using a microfilarial test (modified Knott's test) and an antigen test (DiroCHEK, Synbiotics, USA). The infection rate of 102 Jindo dogs was 1.9% (2/102) by the modified Knott's test, but was 4.9% (5/102) by the antigen test. This result revealed that the antigen test is more accurate than the microfilarial test. Also, 222 Jindo dogs (Male 61, Female 161) were examined for Dirofilaria immitis infection from 1995 to 1997 using an antigen test (DiroCHEK, Synbiotics, USA). Twelve (5.4%) Jindo dogs were positive for Dirofilaria immitis antigen. The infection rates were higher than in male (6.6%, 4/61) than female dogs (5.0%, 8/161). The infection rates of heartworm in Jindo dogs at the age of under 1 year, 1~2 years and over 2 years old were 0.0% (0/39), 4.3% (5/115) and 10.3% (7/68), respectively. The older age had higher infection rates than the younger age (P=0.018). The infection rates of canine heartworm was reported to be the highest (17.6%, P=0.028) in Jodo-myeon, 10.6% in Uisin-myeon and 5.3% in limhoe-myun. But dogs with antigenemia weren't detected in Gogun-myeon. and Jisan-myeon. This study indicates that the prevalence of canine heartworm in Jindo-gun is lower than previously reported (3.1% and 12.3%) which utilized microfilarial tests.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.517-520
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• 2003

Prevalence of microfilariae, Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens, Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides from 506 German Shepherd dogs reared in Korea was investigated by modified Knott's test to detect circulating microfilaria and by acid-phosphatase staining for differentiation of each microfilaria species. In the modified Knott's test, 74 of 506 dogs (14.6%) were microfilaria positive, and the prevelance of each species of microfilaria was 90.5% (67 of 74 samples) for D. immitis, 5.4% (4 of 74 samples) for duplicate infection with D. immitis and D. repens and 4.1% (3 of 74 samples) for mixed infection with D. immitis, D. repens and A. dracunculoides. It was considered that the paying attention to the existence not only D. immitis but also other microfilariae were needed in canine filariasis.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.457-463
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• 2023

A 13-year-old neutered male Pomeranian, weighting 3 kg, presented with respiratory distress and depression. Radiographic examination revealed calcified ring-like opacities in the main pulmonary artery, mimicking thoracic foreign bodies. Additionally, right heart and main pulmonary artery enlargement and notable lung infiltrations were also observed. Echocardiography showed coil shaped structures in the main pulmonary artery with increased echogenicity compared to other nearby heartworms, which is consistent with calcified Dirofilaria immitis (heartworms). The dog was diagnosed with caval syndrome, which is the advanced and severe manifestation of heartworm infection. This report presents a rare case of calcified heartworm infection observed during a radiological examination, which resemble foreign bodies. Therefore, chronic heartworm disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis when radiopaque ring-like opacities are observed in the pulmonary artery on thoracic radiographs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.691-694
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to conduct a survey of Dirofilaria immitis infection among stray cats in Korea using nested PCR. We included 235 stray cats (121 females and 114 males) and evaluated each for the presence of feline heartworm infection. Blood samples were collected from 135 cats in Daejeon, 50 cats in Seoul, and 50 cats from Gyeonggi-do (Province). Of the 235 DNA samples, 14 (6.0%) were positive for D. immitis. The prevalence of infection in male cats (8/114, 7.0%) tended to be higher than that in female cats (6/121, 5.0%), but the difference was not statistically significant. In each location, 8, 2, and 4 cats were positive for infection, respectively, based on DNA testing. No significant differences in the prevalence were observed among the geographic regions, although the rate of infection was higher in Gyeonggi-do (8.0%) than Daejeon (5.9%) and Seoul (4.0%). We submitted 7 of the 14 D. immitis DNA-positive samples for sequencing analysis. All samples corresponded to partial D. immitis cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences with 99% homology to the D. immitis sequence deposited in GenBank (accession no. FN391553). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first survey using nested PCR to analyze the prevalence of D. immitis in stray cats in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2014

Dirofilaria immitis infection is one of the most important parasitic diseases in dogs and public health. It often elicits nodules in the pulmonary parenchyma and in the subcutaneous tissues of human. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of D. immitis infection among 754 dogs in Seoul area from April to December 2012. The infection rate of 754 dogs was 9.8% (74/754) by the antigen test (canine SNAP 4Dx). The infection rates of D. immitis in dogs at the age of < 2, 2~4, 5~7, 8~10, and > 10 years were 3.7% (7/189), 12.9% (30/233), 15.0% (19/127), 9.8% (18/184), and 0% (0/21), respectively. The infection rates in the female and male dogs were 9.7% (33/340) and 9.9% (41/414), respectively. The regional infection rates in northern and southern Han river region of Seoul were 10.7% (44/410) and 8.7% (30/344), respectively. In order to confirm D. immitis infection, we performed PCR on serum samples of 74 dogs which tested positive for D. immitis antigen by the antigen test and we detected a specific gene ITS-2 in 59 serum samples. In conclusion, this study suggests that treatment and preventive care on the D. immitis infection should be considered in dogs of Seoul area.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2015

Wuchereria bancrofti, Dirofilaria immitis, and Dirofilaria repens are filarial nematodes transmitted by mosquitoes belonging to Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles genera. Screening by vector dissection is a tiresome technique. We aimed to screen filarial parasites in their vectors by single and multiplex PCR and evaluate the usefulness of multiplex PCR as a rapid xenomonitoring and simultaneous differentiation tool, in area where 3 filarial parasites are coexisting. Female mosquitoes were collected from 7 localities in Assiut Governorate, were microscopically identified and divided into pools according to their species and collection site. Detection of W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens using single PCR was reached followed by multiplex PCR. Usefulness of multiplex PCR was evaluated by testing mosquito pools to know which genera and species are used by filarial parasites as a vector. An overall estimated rate of infection (ERI) in mosquitoes was 0.6%; the highest was Culex spp. (0.47%). W. bancrofti, D. immitis, and D. repens could be simultaneously and differentially detected in infected vectors by using multiplex PCR. Out of 100 mosquito pools, 8 were positive for W. bancrofti (ERI of 0.33%) and 3 pools each were positive for D. immitis and D. repens (ERI 0.12%). The technique showed 100% sensitivity and 98% specificity. El-Nikhila, El-Matiaa villages, and Sahel Seleem district in Assiut Governorate, Egypt are still endemic foci for filarial parasites. Multiplex PCR offers a reliable procedure for molecular xenomonitoring of filariasis within their respective vectors in endemic areas. Therefore, it is recommended for evaluation of mosquito infection after lymphatic filariasis eradication programs.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.235-239
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• 1998

Microfilarial periodicity of Dirofilaria immitis (the dog heartworm) was determined at two hr intervals for 72 consecutive hrs in 10 naturally infected war dogs, 3-9 years old, in Korea to facilitate harvest of the microfilariae for possible use in laboratory works and to elucidate further the periodicity of the microfilaria depending on geographic location, Although the periodicity had been observed as being lowgrade nocturnal, maximal microfilarial counts were found at 21 :00 hr and minimal at 11 :00 hr, giving rise to an evident peak in fluctuation of the larval counts. This is the first record of the periodicity of the microfilariae identified as D. immitis in Korea.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.21 no.8
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• pp.497-499
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• 1985

Blood sample from 155 Korean Jindo dogs were examined for canine filariae, using the modified Knott test. Most of the blood samples were collected bet-ween 1 : 00 and 5 : 00 p. m. from July to November, 1984. Dirofilaria immitis was found in 19 ($12.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.344-347
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• 1992

This study was performed to investigate the infestation rate of heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) in the peripheral blood of the dog being raised in Korea. Blood samples were obtained between 17 : 00 and 20 : 00 from June to August, 1991. Heartworm was exami