Author(s):

Vivekanandhan R, Shanmuganath C, B Sunil, Anukampa Kadwalia, Bhoomika, Muralikrishna P and Murugavelu M

Abstract: Dirofilariasis is one of the emerging zoonotic parasitic diseases accidentally affecting the humans (dead-end host), caused by filarial nematodes of genus Dirofilaria, subgenus Nochtiella. It infects various domestic and wild animals naturally and canines are the principal reservoir hosts. They are known to cause accidental infections in humans. D. repens is the prevalent species identified in India. Mosquitoes of the genera Aedes, Culex, Anopheles, Mansonia and Armigeres species are reported to be associated in its transmission while a blood meal, mosquitoes deposit hemolymph on the wound, which conveys infectious “larvae 3" stage that enters the host’s skin on their own. The clinical signs include coughing, exercise intolerance, unthriftiness, dyspnea, cyanosis, hemoptysis, syncope, epistaxis, and ascites. Preventing infection in dogs can be done by daily administration of diethylcarbamazine during and after heartworm season. The introduction of the macrolide agents such as ivermectin, milbemycin, moxidectin and selamectin has provided the veterinary profession with effective heartworm preventatives in a variety of formulations. Dirofilariasis can be prevented by avoiding mosquito bites by the use of insect repellent when exposed to mosquitoes and by sleeping under an insecticide-treated bed net.

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