Almost 4 centuries have passed since the first description
of canine filariae, but dirofilariasis remains a subject
of intense study in veterinary medicine.1
Nowadays, 2 forms of dirofilariasis are considered: the
cardiopulmonary form or so-called heartworm disease
caused by Dirofilaria immitis, and the subcutaneous
form caused by Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens.
2 Both
forms are transmitted by mosquitoes of the Culicidae
family. Although being fully adapted to canine hosts,
reports of feline and human infections have increased
in number in recent years.