Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
First detection of heartworm infection in dogs from Mongolia
By Jambaldorj, Ankhbayar et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2025·School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First molecular detection of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs from Mongolia.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
Two dogs in Mongolia were found to have heartworm disease, caused by a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. This condition can lead to serious lung problems and is typically more common in warmer regions. The researchers collected blood samples from 180 dogs in urban areas and used various tests to confirm the presence of the heartworm. This study marks the first time heartworm has been detected in dogs in Mongolia, highlighting the need for awareness and prevention of this disease in the region.
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Abstract
Canine heartworm disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis (Leidy, 1856), is a parasitic roundworm infection common in tropical regions. It impacts animals and humans, residing in pulmonary arteries and causing severe lung damage and significant health risks. Although well-studied globally, canine heartworm infections remain uninvestigated in Mongolia. This study aimed to detect microfilariae and identify D. immitis in dogs, contributing to understanding the presence of heartworm disease in Mongolia's urban areas. Hematologic samples (n = 180) were collected from owned and unowned dogs across six districts in urban Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, using EDTA tubes. Whole blood samples were tested for microfilaria and D. immitis DNA via thin blood smear, the modified Knott's test, and PCR. A commercially available kit was used to detect canine heartworm antigen in blood. Two dogs were confirmed to have D. immitis infections based on comprehensive tests. The D. immitis 5.8S-ITS2-28S gene sequence from Mongolian dog matched sequences from other countries and clustered similarly in phylogenetic analyses. This is the first molecular detection and identification of D. immitis in Mongolian dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40280681/