• 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.30 no.1
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• pp.155-164
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of canine heartworm infections, canine brucellosis and hematologic values from 153 free roaming dogs in the area of Gwangju city from March to November 2006. Nineteen (12.4%) of 153 samples tested with modified Knott's technique showed positive reaction for microfilariae. Polymerase chain reaction using specific primers for D immitis amplified the expected product from all samples of 19 microfilaremic canine blood samples as determined by the modified Knott's test for microfilariae. The seasonal infection rates of microfilariae were higher in the spring season (10/19, 52.6%) than in the other seasons. The major hematological findings in microfilaremic dogs were mild leukocytosis and mild monocytosis. A total of 100 dogs randomly selected from 153 free roaming dogs were negative for canine brucellosis by serological test using immunochromatographic antibody test kit.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.453-455
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• 2013

Heartworm infection is a fatal disease causing heart failure and pulmonary diseases in dogs. This heartworm infection can also occur in wild carnivores including Raccoon dogs. Recent study found that relatively high prevalence rate in wild Raccoon dog population. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence rate of D. immitis in free-roaming Raccoon dogs and the recovery rate of microfilariae in infected Raccoon dogs in Korea. Overall prevalence rate of D. immitis in Korean Raccoon dogs was 17.8%. Prevalence rate in male Raccoon dogs was 21.8%, while that in female Raccoon dogs was 12.8%. Microfilariae were not detected in 17 Raccoon dogs having positive in heartworm antigen test. Our study result suggested that the prevalence rate of D. immitis in Korea is twice higher than that of Japan. In addition, microfilaremia is rare in Raccoon dogs as commonly noticed in cats.