EXOone Dirofilaria repens

Description

Dirofilaria repens is a filarial nematode transmitted by mosquitoes that primarily infects dogs and other carnivores. It is widely distributed in Europe, Asia and other endemic regions, where domestic dogs serve as the main reservoir host.
Infection is typically associated with subcutaneous and cutaneous dirofilariosis, characterized by nodules, dermatitis, pruritus and, in some cases, ocular involvement. Many infected animals remain asymptomatic, facilitating the persistence and spread of the parasite within endemic areas.
Conventional detection methods such as microscopic examination of blood samples may have limited sensitivity, particularly in animals with low microfilaremia. Real-time PCR enables rapid, sensitive and specific detection of D. repens DNA directly from clinical samples, supporting analytical detection and surveillance.