|
Knott test
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. See also test number 610 Dirofilaria antigen and for PCR test please check test number 8101 Microfilaria -PCR
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.
|
