Biomaterial Database

Experimental infection of Dirofilaria immitis in raccoon dogs. 2007

K Nakagaki, and M Yoshida, and S Nogami, and K Nakagaki

College of Veterinary Medicine, Nippon Jui-Seimeikagaku University, Musashino, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan. kazu_nakagaki@hotmail.com

Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a nematode that naturally parasitizes in the pulmonary arteries and the right ventricle of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) as final hosts. Japanese raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus) also are known to be susceptible to infection by the parasite. However, prevalence of this infection among free-ranging raccoon dogs is low and so is the worm burden. To examine the susceptibility of the raccoon dog to D. immitis infection, 3 raccoon dogs and 2 beagles were inoculated 4 times with 25 third-stage larvae (L3s) of D. immitis at 3-wk intervals. Worms were recovered from 2 raccoon dogs and both domestic dogs. The average percentage of recovery (2.3%) of the raccoon dogs was almost 10 times lower (24.5%) than that of the domestic dogs, but there was no significant difference in the body length of worms recovered from 2 types of hosts. To examine microfilaremia, 2 raccoon dogs were infected with 100 L3s. Microfilaremia was observed for 180 days postinoculation (PI) but disappeared at about 300 days PI. The raccoon dog was mildly susceptible to infection with D. immitis, but surviving worms developed and matured normally.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007564	Japan	A country in eastern Asia, island chain between the North Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, east of the Korean Peninsula. The capital is Tokyo.	Bonin Islands
D008297	Male		Males
D008842	Microfilariae	The prelarval stage of Filarioidea found in the blood and tissues of mammals, birds and intermediate hosts (vector).	Microfilaria
D004183	Dirofilaria immitis	A filarial parasite primarily of dogs but occurring also in foxes, wolves, and humans. The parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes.	Dog Heartworm,Dirofilaria immitides,Dog Heartworms,Heartworm, Dog,Heartworms, Dog,immitis, Dirofilaria
D004184	Dirofilariasis	Infection with nematodes of the genus DIROFILARIA, usually in animals, especially dogs, but occasionally in man.	Heartworm Disease,Dirofilariases,Disease, Heartworm
D004197	Disease Reservoirs	Animate or inanimate sources which normally harbor disease-causing organisms and thus serve as potential sources of disease outbreaks. Reservoirs are distinguished from vectors (DISEASE VECTORS) and carriers, which are agents of disease transmission rather than continuing sources of potential disease outbreaks. Humans may serve both as disease reservoirs and carriers.	Disease Reservoir,Human Disease Reservoirs,Infectious Disease Reservoir,Reservoirs of Infection,Infectious Disease Reservoirs,Disease Reservoir, Human,Disease Reservoir, Infectious,Disease Reservoirs, Human,Human Disease Reservoir,Infection Reservoir,Infection Reservoirs,Reservoir, Disease,Reservoir, Infectious Disease,Reservoirs, Human Disease
D004198	Disease Susceptibility	A constitution or condition of the body which makes the tissues react in special ways to certain extrinsic stimuli and thus tends to make the individual more than usually susceptible to certain diseases.	Diathesis,Susceptibility, Disease,Diatheses,Disease Susceptibilities,Susceptibilities, Disease
D004285	Dogs	The domestic dog, Canis familiaris, comprising about 400 breeds, of the carnivore family CANIDAE. They are worldwide in distribution and live in association with people. (Walker's Mammals of the World, 5th ed, p1065)	Canis familiaris,Dog
D005260	Female		Females
D000818	Animals	Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA.	Animal,Metazoa,Animalia