Dirofilaria immitis
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Di·ro·fi·la·ri·a im·'mi·tis
a species of filarial worms; primary hosts are dogs and other canids in tropical, subtropical and temperate climates, adult worms are found chiefly in the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries of dogs; sometimes a serious pathogen of racing and show dogs, especially in the southern U.S. where mosquito vectors are most common; Dirofilaria immitis and its canine host have been used to test chemotherapeutic agents, and an extract of Dirofilaria immitis may be used as a nonspecific intradermal antigen in the diagnosis of human filariasis and in complement-fixation tests.
See also: Dipetalonema reconditum.
See also: Dipetalonema reconditum.
Synonym(s): heartworm
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
Dirofilaria immitis
Heartworm, a species of filariae that occurs in dogs but may infest humans.
See also: Dirofilaria
Medical Dictionary, © 2009 Farlex and Partners