2. Materials and methods
2.1. Dog enrolment and treatment
The study was carried out from September 2009 to April
2010 in a canine shelter located in Castelbasso municipality
(Abruzzo region, central Italy).
In September 2009 all the dogs kept in a shelter which
complied with the following criteria were selected with
the following criteria were selected: (1) native dogs never
moved outside the study area according to the knowledge
of the responsible of the kennel; (2) dogs older than 6
months; (3) MLs had not been administered for at least 3
months prior to testing; and (4) prophylactic agents against
dirofilarioses or repellents had not been administered during
the previous season of mosquito activity (i.e. summer
2009). Dogs with severe systemic diseases not directly
related to parasitic infections, dogs in poor general health
status, and pregnant and lactating dogs were excluded from
the study.