Histophatological Damage to Heart and Lungs on Canine Dirofilariosis in Panama

Abstract

Latin America and countries with hot climates have long suffered with vector-borne diseases, be they fleas, mosquitoes or ticks, among others. Canine Dirofilariasis is a vector disease whose etiological agent in America is Dirofilaria immitis, however, with little information on its real damage to canines and no information on its pathogenesis in humans in this country. Five anatomical pieces made up of heart and lungs, preserved in 10% formaldehyde, were evaluated histopathologically to define the damage caused by the nematode. The most common lesion found in the lungs was pulmonary emphysema and lymphocytic interstitial pneumonitis. Pseudo papillary hyperplasia of the endothelium was observed in one of the cases. The most common lesions found in the heart were endocarditis and pericarditis. We can conclude that the damage caused by D. immitis to the heart and lungs tissues of dogs is evident and that further studies are necessary to better understand this disease.