• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.47-53
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• 1997

We have investigated the prevalence of canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection among 100 mixed-breed dogs raised in Chonnam Province (Koheung, Posung, Changheung, and Hwasoon) and 100 dogs randomly selected from visiting dogs to the College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonnam National University for routine physical examination. Blood samples taken from dogs were examined for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis microfilaria by the modified Knott's test, and an antigen test which was based on the sandwich ELISA(DiroCHEK(equation omitted), Synbiotics, Inc., San Diego, California, USA) was used to detect the adult heartworm-specific antigen from serum samples. The results were then compared with those of the modified Knott's test. Five(2.5%) of the 200 examined dogs were microfilaria-positive, while 8 dogs(4%) were anti-gen-positive, which suggested that the antigen test was more sensitive than the microfilarial test in detecting heartworm infection. All dogs that were microfilaria-positive were also antigen-positive. The place of origin of the heartworm-positive dogs were of Naju (4/26, 15.4%), Koheung(3/32, 9.4%), and Hwasoon (1/19, 5.3%), while none of dogs raised in Kwangju, Posung, and Changheung areas were infected with the parasite. Although not significant, more infected dogs were observed in older ages, while the difference in infection rate between male (4/98, 4.1%) and female (4/102, 3.9%) was not recognized. Our results indicated that a relatively low infection rate was observed in dogs raised in Kwangju and Chonnam area compared to the infection rate reported previously in other areas of South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.129-134
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• 2003

A survey of canine heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) infections among dogs in Daefu area was performed from February 2000 to October 2002 using a microfilarial test and an antigen test(AGEN$^{TM}$ Canine heartworm). The infection rate of 220 dogs(96 males, 124 females) was 23.2%(51/22) by the microfilarial test, but was 23.6%(52/220) by the antigen test, revealing that 1 of 52 antigen-positive dogs were microfilaria-negative in the peripheral blood. All dogs that were microgilaria-positive were also antigen-positive. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs at the age of < 1, 1-3, 4-6, 7-11 and 12-15 years were 2.7%, 17.4%, 41.0%, 42.9% and 57.1%, respectively. Based on the fact that the antigen test is more accurate than the microfilaria test. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs by housing of indoor and outdoor were 6.9% and 46.4%, respectively. Based on the fact that outdoor housing is more infectious than indoor housing.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

A survey of canine heartworm infections among 83 dogs (Male 42, Female 41) of pet dogs in Ulsan area was performed from March to July 2009 using antigen test. Of 83 dogs, 6 dogs (7.2%) were infected with the Dirofilaria immitis, and 5 dogs (6%) were detected to have microfilaria in the peripheral blood. The infection according to the age of 4~5, 6~7, 7 over years were 7.4%, 12.5%, and 10.5%, Also, A survey of canine heartworm infections among 23 dogs (Male 15, Female 8) of hunting dogs in Ulsan area was performed from July 2008 using antigen test. Of 23 dogs, 11 dogs (47.8%) were infected with the D. immitis, and 6 dogs (26.1%) were detected to have microfilaria in the peripheral blood. The infection according to the age of under 1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 over years were 12.5%, 40%, 85.7% and 66.7%, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.133-137
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• 2004

This study was attempted to survey on the prevalence of canine heartworm(Dirofilaria immitis) infections among 206 dogs (male 92, female 114) in Daejeon area from March to December 2003. Blood samples taken from dogs were examined for the presence of D immitis microfilaria by the modified Knott's test and an antigen test( $AGEN^{TM}$ canine heartworm). The result obtained from this experiment were summarized as follows; 1. Eighteen(8.7%) of the 206 examined dogs were microfilaria positive, while twenty five dogs(12.1%) were antigen test positive. 2. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs at the age of <2, 2∼4 and $\geq$5 were 3.8%, 18% and 25%, respectively. 3. The infection rates of heartworm in dogs by housing of indoor and outdoor were 3.3% and 36.4%, respectively. 4. The regional infection rates were Dong-gu(13/29, 44.8%), Seo-gu(7/92, 7.6%), Yuseong-gu(2/33, 6.1%), Jung-gu(1/17, 5.9%) and Daedeok-gu(2/35, 5.7%). 5. The seasonal infection rates were summer(June∼August, 16.7%), autumn (September∼October, 14%), spring(March∼May, 9.4%) and winter(November∼December. 7.7%).7.7%).

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.130-137
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• 2000

In order to diagnose canine heartworm infection by antigen capture ELISA, the crude somatic(S), partial somatic(below 45kDa) and excretory/secretory(E/S) antigen of adult heartworm were identified and the antigenicity was examined by silver stain, immunoblot and ELISA. Then, production of monoclonal antibody to specific antigen carried out in this experiment. The bands to S antigen and E/S antigen were recognized between 10 and 200kDa and common bands were recognized strongly 14, 18, 28, 43kDa by silver stain. By western blot analysis, fractions to S antigen were recognized 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 28, 32, 43, 50, 55kDa, etc. and only a 14kDa to E/S antigen in positive sera which were positive in modified Knott's test and necropsy. In ELISA, the positive sera reacted to antigens(SA, $SA_{45}$, E/S) were significantly different from negative sera by Student's t-test(p<0.05). Four hybridoma cell lines(14, 16, 17, 32kDa) than produce specific monoclonal antibodies for these antigens were obtained by immunizing BALB/c mice with a partially purified somatic antigen (below 45kDa) preparation, by fusing spleen cells with SP2/O cell myeloma cells, and by screening cell culture supernatants for antibody. In these results, it was confirmed that partial somatic antigen(below 45kDa) or E/S antigen can be used for serologic diagnosis of heartworm infection and monoclonal antibody reacting with specific antigen(14kDa) can be used for antigen capture ELISA in prepatent period of canine heartworm infection.