Transient Glomerular Dysfunction in Dogs Caused by Dirofilaria immitis Infection

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine two glomerular markers (urinary albumin, uALB; urinary C-reactive protein, uCRP) in healthy dogs and in dogs infected with Dirofilaria immitis, and to identify some possible changes in these markers after therapy with ivermectin and doxycycline. Twenty dogs with D. immitis infection positive by both the Knott method and SNAP 4Dx (IDEXX, USA) test were included in the research, as well as twelve clinically healthy dogs of similar age which served as controls. Glomerular biomarkers (meаn, SD) increased significantly in dogs with heartworm disease (uAlB/Creatinine, Cr mg/g: 527.57±312.54; uCRP/Cr mg/g: 0.520±0.624), compared to control dogs (uAlB/Cr mg/g: 94.44±56.50; uCRP/Cr mg/g: below detection limit). Six months after the initial examination and the simultaneous treatment, all glomerular markers were considerably decreased and did not differ from those in healthy animals. In conclusion, the observed changes in glomerular biomarkers clearly indicated the transient nature of glomerular dysfunction caused by the heartworm infection in dogs, which may be of clinical relevance.