Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Canine heartworm found in dogs on Saipan island
By Davis, Taylor A et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2025·Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: First molecular evidence for the presence of the canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis, on the island of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that 11.2% of dogs on Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, tested positive for heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis), a serious parasite that can affect dogs' health. Blood samples were collected during a spay-and-neuter event, and DNA testing confirmed the presence of heartworm in several dogs. Factors like the dog's age and where they lived were linked to the likelihood of infection. This discovery emphasizes the importance of regular heartworm prevention treatments to protect dogs from this dangerous parasite.
People also search for: dog heartworm symptoms · heartworm prevention for dogs · Saipan dog health issues
Abstract
Blood filarioid nematodes pose a significant health impact on dogs worldwide. These parasites are mainly represented by species in the genera Dirofilaria, Brugia, and Acanthocheilonema. This study aimed to molecularly detect filarioid nematodes of dogs from Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, using a pan-filarial PCR method. Whole blood samples (n = 443) were collected during an island-wide spay-and-neuter event. Genomic DNA was extracted, and the lysates were subjected to conventional PCR targeting a fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene, followed by sequencing. Filarioid nematode DNA was found in 11.2 % (8.4-14.6 %, CI 95 %) (n = 50/443) of samples. Forty-seven high-quality sequences were confirmed as Dirofilaria immitis through BLAST search and phylogenetic analysis. Sequences were 100 % identical to each other. Dog's age (p < 0.001), residing district (p < 0.001), and ownership status (p < 0.001) were statistically associated with D. immitis molecular detection. This is the first molecular detection of D. immitis in dogs of Saipan, a commonwealth of the United States, in the Western Pacific Ocean. These findings highlight the need for routine preventive chemoprophylaxis to reduce the risk of vector exposure and filarial infection.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41354525/