EXOone Dirofilaria immitis

Description

Dirofilaria immitis is a filarial nematode transmitted by mosquitoes that primarily infects dogs and other carnivores, with occasional infection in cats and other hosts.
It is the causative agent of heartworm disease, characterized by the presence of adult worms in the pulmonary arteries and heart, leading to respiratory signs, reduced exercise tolerance and, in severe cases, cardiovascular failure. The infection has significant clinical impact and can be life-threatening if untreated.
Conventional detection methods such as microscopy or antigen tests may have limitations depending on the stage of infection. Real-time PCR enables rapid, sensitive and specific detection of D. immitis DNA directly from clinical samples, supporting analytical detection and monitoring.