Abstract
The clinical importance of heartworm infection in cats has indeed increased in recent years. Dirofilaria immitis infection has been reported worldwide in cats and continues to be regularly diagnosed in endemic areas. The diagnosis can be overlooked easily, especially in Brazil, where there is not a specific feline immunodiagnostic test, forcing the veterinarians to use a test made for the canine host. In 2015, a 10-year-old female neutered cat was diagnosed with D. immitis using an antigen serological test, based on imunocromatography and designed for dogs. The modified Knott test was negative. As the disease progressed, the cat showed clinical signals of respiratory distress, such as dyspnoea and polypnea in addition to prostration and emaciation, and died a few weeks after the diagnosis. During necropsy, one adult nematode was found in the pulmonary artery. D. immitis infection was confirmed by molecular amplification, performed in the worm fragment. This is the first report of serological diagnosis of feline dirofilariasis in Brazil. A chemoprophylaxis routine in cats should be done, as is done in dogs from endemic areas.
Highlights
Dirofilariasis is caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis, distributed worldwide, primarily affecting dogs and cats (Jones et al 2014)
A female cat was included in a study that aimed to establish the seroprevalence of heartworm infection in cats in the Oceanic Area of Niterói city, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, an endemic area for canine dirofilariasis
In 2008, the antigen test for D. immitis was incorporated into the kit for serologic test of FIV and FeLV, by the IDEXX Laboratories
Summary
Dirofilariasis (heartworm disease) is caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis, distributed worldwide, primarily affecting dogs and cats (Jones et al 2014). In cases of pulmonary larval dirofilariasis, infected cats can have a Heartworm Associated Respiratory Disease (HARD), that is associated with asthmalike clinical signs (Venco et al 2011). A positive antibody test result only indicates exposure to heartworms and not necessarily a current infection (Simon et al 2012, Jones et al 2014).
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