Suspect 'baggage canine heartworm' case: canine heartworm disease in a dog from Sydney, New South Wales.
Aust Vet J
; 99(8): 359-362, 2021 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33904155
ABSTRACT
Locally acquired canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in the temperate southern climate zones of Australia is currently rare. We report a case of locally acquired canine heartworm from Sydney, New South Wales in a 12-year-old Fox Terrier × Jack Russell female that presented with coughing and breathing difficulties. Absence of heartworm prevention and no travel outside Sydney was noted. Blood sample was D. immitis positive using antigen test, but negative on Modified Knott's testing. PCR confirmed the presence of D. immitis DNA in circulating blood. Echocardiographic examination revealed multiple parallel echogenic lines separated by a hypoechoic region ('tram-tracks') in the right pulmonary artery. The patient was treated and clinical condition gradually improved over the following 12 months. Antigen test remained positive for D. immitis at ~7 months and became negative at ~15 months after the start of the treatment. The most plausible scenario is importation of infected mosquito(s) in the luggage arriving from Queensland, Australia, common holiday destination for many Sydney-siders. We consider this a case of 'baggage canine heartworm'. Canine heartworm in dogs who did not travel should be considered in the differential diagnosis and D. immitis antigen test coupled with Modified Knott's test or PCR must be considered.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Dirofilaria immitis
/
Dirofilariose
/
Doenças do Cão
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
Oceania
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Aust Vet J
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Austrália