Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How bacteria Wolbachia affect heartworm disease in dogs
By McHaffie, Jake·Published in Parasitology research·2012·University of California, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dirofilaria immitis and Wolbachia pipientis: a thorough investigation of the symbiosis responsible for canine heartworm disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Canine heartworm disease is a serious condition caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis, which is spread by mosquitoes. Recent research has shown that this parasite has a symbiotic relationship with a bacteria called Wolbachia pipientis, which may affect how we treat heartworm infections in dogs. Veterinarians are now exploring the use of antibiotics like doxycycline, either alone or alongside traditional heartworm treatments, to reduce side effects and improve treatment effectiveness. This could lead to safer and more efficient ways to help dogs recover from heartworm disease.
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Abstract
Canine heartworm disease wreaks havoc inside canines all throughout the modern world, including the USA. Any region where mosquitoes thrive will provide efficient dog-to-dog transportation for the microfilaria of the infectious nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Veterinary scientists have recently discovered both phylogenetic and biochemical evidence for the obligate symbiosis of D. immitis and the bacteria Wolbachia pipientis. As a result, veterinarians have initiated testing of antibiotic therapies either instead of, or together with, the currently utilized antiparasitic treatments for canine heartworm. The toxicity of melarsomine adulticidal therapies has prompted an abundance of new research involving doxycycline and other antibiotics, which will be addressed in this review. As our knowledge of the Wolbachia endosymbiont expands, so will our abilities to minimize toxicity and maximize efficiency of heartworm treatments.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21922235/