• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.385-389
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• 2009

This study was attempted to survey on the prevalence of canine heartworm infection (Dirofilaria immitis) in the Incheon area in 2006. This study showed comparative infection rates of canine heartworm in conjunction with different geographic locations and rearing environments (i.e., indoor, outdoor or free roaming). In total, 24 dogs (6.0%) were D. immitis positive among a total of 400 tested dogs. The geographic distribution of detection rates was Nam-gu (2 dogs, 6.7%), Yeonsu-gu (1 dog, 3.0%), Namdonggu (5 dogs, 8.0%), Pupyoung-gu (4 dogs, 6.7%), Kanghwa-gun (8 dogs, 13.0%), and Onjin-gun (4 dogs, 11.1%). In addition, 4 dogs (2.0%) or 20 dogs (10.0%) were positive for D. immitis among 202 indoor dogs or 198 outdoor dogs including free roaming dogs, respectively, while 13 dogs (11.7%) were positive for D. immitis among 111 outdoor dogs excluding free roaming dogs. In the case of 87 free roaming dogs, 7 dogs (8.1%) among them were positive for D. immitis.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.317-323
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• 2022

Dirofilariasis is a mosquito-borne parasitic infection that mainly causes symptoms such as chronic cough, respiratory distress, abnormal breath sounds, heart valve dysfunction, right heart hypertrophy, liver congestion and cirrhosis, ascites, and pleural effusion in dogs. In this study, from June to September 2021, we collected and identified mosquitoes in parks where citizens often take their dogs for a walk, and created pools from them by month, species, and location. These pools were checked for the infection of Dirofilaria immitis by PCR and the minimum infection rates (MIRs) were calculated. The MIR of all mosquitoes collected was 6.4, and the MIRs of mosquitoes from Daewangam Park, Yeocheoncheon Walk, Taehwagang National Garden, and Sinbulsan County Park were 9.7, 4.7, 2.1, and 0, respectively. It also confirmed that Aedes hatorii, Aedes vexans nipponii, and Ochlerotatus koreicus were major vectors of heartworm in Ulsan. Our results suggest that heartworm prophylaxis should be considered in Ulsan.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.225-232
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• 1996

A survey of canine heartworm (nirofilaria inmitis) infections among German shepherds in five areas of South Korea was performed from October 1994 to August 1995 using a microfilarial test (modified Knott's test) and an antigen test (DiroCHEKⓑ Synbiotics, USA). The infection rate of 127 German shepherds (71 males and 56 females) was 10.2% (13/127) by the microfilarial test, but was 28.3% (36/127) by the antigen test, revealing that 24 of the 36 antigen-positive dogs were microfilaria-negative in the peripheral blood . All dogs that were microfilaria-positive were also antigen-positive. Three of the microfilaria-negative and antigen-positive dogs contained 4-15 adult heartworms in the heart and pulmonary arteries upon necropsy. The infection rate among German shepherds was the highest in Hoengsong-gun (Kangwon-do, 84.4%) , while those of Yechon-gun (Kyongsangbuk-do) and Chungwon-gun (Chungchongbuk-do) areas were 20.0% and 14.3%, respectively. None of the dogs in the Kimhae-shi (Kyongsangnam-do) and Kwangiu areas was heartworm positive. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs at the age of 1-3, 4-6. and 7-11 years were 6.3%, 21.4%, and 56.4%, respectively. Based on the fact that the antigen test is more accurate than the microfilarial test, this study strongly indicates that the prevalence rate of canine heartworm in Korea may be higher than previously reported (3.1-23.0%) which utilized microfilarial tests.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.334-338
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• 2012

A 3-year-old, intact male Pungsan dog was presented for a 2-week history of a non-weight-bearing lameness of left hindlimb with anorexia. The dog had no history of trauma, and never been routinely vaccinated or treated with heartworm preventatives. The complete blood count showed severe leukocytosis and neutrophilia with left shift. Serum biochemistry showed hypoalbuminemia, azotemia, and increased hepatobilliary enzyme activity. A canine heartworm antigen test was positive. Thoracic radiographs were consistent with heartworm disease as evidences by main pulmonary artery enlargement, right-sided cardiomegaly, and interstitial lung pattern. Echocardiography revealed pulmonary valvular regurgitation and pulmonary hypertension. Selective femoral arterial angiogram was performed, and bilateral femoral arterial occlusion was identified. The dog died after angiogram, and necropsy was performed. At necropsy, adult heartworm and a large blood clot were found within the lumen of left and right femoral artery. This case report describes an unusual migration of heartworm to femoral artery that caused hindlimb lameness.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.495-502
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• 1996

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.503-509
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• 1996

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.42 no.8
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• pp.756-763
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• 2006

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.205-208
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• 2015

Ten dogs were enrolled in this study: two healthy dogs, two obese dogs without other medical issues and six obese dogs with underlying diseases including pemphigus, chronic active hepatitis, hyperadrenocorticism, narcolepsy, otitis media and heartworm infection. Pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene to explore the gut bacterial diversity revealed that distal gut bacterial communities of samples from patients with pemphigus, otitis media and narcolepsy consisted primarily of Firmicutes, while the major phylum of the distal gut bacterial communities in patients with chronic active hepatitis and hyperadrenocorticism was Fusobacteria. Proteobacteria were the dominant phylum in heartworm infected obese patients.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.83-86
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• 2004

A 4 year old mixed female dog was presented dyspnea, anorexia and syncope. In blood smear test, a lot of heartworm larvae were observed. In thoracic radiography, "reverse D" shape was observed. So, this case was considered with heartworm disease. In echocardiography, marked left heart hypertrophy was presented. In M-mode view, aortic valvular stenosis was found. After mongrel dog died, aortic valvular stenosis was reconfirmed in necropsy. After all, the dog died of pulmonary edema because of aortic valvular stenosis caused left heart failure.t failure.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 1999

The prevalence of canine heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) infection in 150 mixed-breed dogs(male : 54, female : 96) from February to December 1997 was investigated by using antigen test kit(ICT $GOLD^{TM}$ HW, Synbiotics, USA) based on immunochromatographic assay in Inchon city. Also, gross and histopathological findings of an antigen positive dog were carried out. The results were summarized as follows ; 1. Four dogs were positive from 150 tested dogs(2.7%). They were all more than 2 years old and infection rates in male and outdoor dogs was higher than those in female and indoor, respectively. Species of infected dogs were Pug(2) , German Sheperd(1) and Great-dane (1). 2. Regional infection rates were closely related with housing system in the city. 3. Pathological findings of antigen-positive dog was excessive enlargement, congestion and hemorrhage of lung and D immitis in heart and histologically hemosiderin, hypertrophy of pulmonary alveoli wall and irregular hypertrophy of pulmonary artery inner wall. Microfilaria was observed in pulmonary artery and arteriole, ventricle and splenic artery.