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PCR
Accumulation of the microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis in the peripheral blood takes place in the evenings (adaptation to the
piercing behaviour of vector mosquitoes). This behaviour has not yet been documented for other filarial species, but it is reasonable to take the blood sample after 4 pm. For the detection of For the detection of microfilariae please check test number 8083 Microfilaria PCR quantitive , and test number 2017 Microfilaria - Ag (Dog, Cat) Knott test , see also test number 610 Dirofilaria antigen .
Filaria
In Europe alone, five different filarial species are known to cause filariasis in dogs: Dirofilaria immitis, Dirofilaria repens as well as Dipetalonema reconditum, Dipetalonema (Acanthocheilonema) dracunculoides and Cercopithifilaria grassi. Dirofilaria immitis causes 'cardiovascular dirofilariasis' (heartworm disease), Dirofilaria repens 'causescutaneous dirofilariasis'. Both types of dirofilariasis are zoonoses and are transmitted by mosquitoes, including the common house mosquito (Culex pipiens) which is very common in Germany. According to literature, the other three filarial species are considered apathogenic, a fact which will not be tenable in future, at least concerning Dip. Reconditum and possibly Dip. Dracunculoides, too.
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