A survey on dirofilaria immitis occurence in stray dogs of Tabriz (Iran)

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of microfilariae Dirofilaria immitis (canine heart worm) infection in Tabriz (East-Azarbaijan province, Iran), blood samples from 63 male and 37 female stray dogs of six age groups (< 1 years, 1-3 years, 3-5 years, 5-7 years, 7-9 years and > 9 years) were analyzed by means of the Knott method. Dirofilaria immitis infection was found in 30 of 100 tested dogs (30%). Male dogs (33.3%) were more infected than females (24.3%), but this difference was not significant. Higher prevalence was found in > 9 years old dogs than in other age groups, but this difference was not statistically significant. It would be useful to apply prevention measures to control Dirofilaria immitis infection in the canine population of Tabriz.