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Clinical Laboratory Techniques > Heartworm disease > Flashcards

Heartworm disease Flashcards

1
Q

The heartworm parasite

A

Dirofilaria immitis

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2
Q

What are the different stages of Dirofilaria immitis?

A

Laraval stages L1, L2, L3,L4

Adult

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3
Q

Is Dirofilaria immitis zoonotic?

A

Yes but there are relatively few reported cases in humans

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4
Q

L1, microfilaria

A

Offspring of adult heartworms

In the bloodstream of hosts

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5
Q

L1, L2, Infective L3

A

Matures in the mosquito until L3 enters the new host during feeding

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6
Q

L3, L4

A

migrates to the heart

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7
Q

Where do the adult heartworms live?

A

The right side of the heart and the pulmonary arteries

20-25 cm long

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8
Q

What is the intermediate host for Dirofilaria immitis?

A

Mosquito

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9
Q

What is the predilection site of Dirofilaria immitis?

A

Pulmonary arteries and right ventricle

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10
Q

What are the clinical signs of heartworm disease?

A

Coughing
Exercise intolerance
Syncope
Ascites from right-sided heart failure

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11
Q

What are the two types of tests used to diagnose heartworm disease?

A

Microfilarial tests

ELISA or RIM

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12
Q

Microfilaria Tests

A

Detects circulating mircofilaria

Uses whole blood

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13
Q

What tests does the microfilaria include?

A

Blood smears, PCV, modified Knotts, DIFIL test

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14
Q

Direct Blood Smear

A

Blood examined directly for microfilaria

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15
Q

What are the advantages of a direct blood smear?

A

Inexpensive, simple to perform

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16
Q

What are the disadvantages of a direct blood smear?

A

Not sensitive

Only 1 drop of blood is checked

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17
Q

Buffy coat/PCV method

A
  1. tape the tube to a slide and focus on the buffy coat for movement
  2. Break the tube at the buffy coat and make a smear
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18
Q

Modified Knott’s test

A

Concentration method to look for microfilaria

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19
Q

What is the advantage of the modified Knotts test?

A

A larger amount of blood is examined compared to direct smear

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20
Q

What is a modified Knott’s test used for?

A

To distinguish Dirofilaria from non-pathogenic Acanthocheilonema reconditum

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21
Q

What are the most differentiating characteristics between Dirofilaria and Acanthocheilonema reconditum?

A

Body width, body length, and shape of the cranial end

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22
Q

How do you perform the Modified Knott’s Test?

A 
1 mL blood from LTT to 10mL formalin to lyse RBCs
Centrifuge for 2 minute
Discard supernatant 
Stain sediment with NMB
Pipette, coverslip, examine on 40x
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23
Q

Elisa or RIM tests

A

Detects antigen released by adult female or antibody produced by a host

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24
Q

What does an ELISA or RIM test use?

A

Whole blood, serum, or plasma

25
Q

What else is an ELISA or RIM test called?

A

An occult test

26
Q

What are Immunologic/Molecular Diagnostic Tests

A

Tests that identify antigen and/or antibody to specific parasite

27
Q

What do the majority of immunologic/molecular diagnostic tests use?

A

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) principle

28
Q

What are the advantages of an ELISA test?

A

Highly accurate and precise
Can detect occult infections
Rapid and easy to perform

29
Q

What do some other Immunologic/Molecular diagnostic tests use?

A

Rapid Immunomigration (RIM)

30
Q

What are the advantages of running a RIM?

A

Do not require refrigeration and no diluents

31
Q

Heartworm antigen testing

A

Blood test to detect tiny amounts of protein from Dirofilaria sp. female worms

32
Q

What labs perform the Heartworm antigen test?

A

IDEXX snap test

Heska

33
Q

What are the advantages of running the Heartworm antigen testing?

A

Quick test
Can detect very low worm burdens (as low as 3 female worms)
Occult infections

34
Q

Antibody Testing

A

Blood test to detect host’s immune reaction to the adult worms
Both male and female

35
Q

What are the advantages of antibody testing?

A

Quick test
Measures the host response to the presence of as few as 1-2 worms
Can detect infection sooner than antigen testing
Useful for feline cases

36
Q

What are the disadvantages of antibody testing?

A

May not be available at all clinics
If the heartworms are dead, the test may still be positive
Does not distinguish between previous infection and current infection

37
Q

Prepatency period of heartworms?

A

6 to 7 months

38
Q

Heartworm guidelines in Hawaii

A

Year-round prevention recommended
Annual heartworm testing recommended
Testing on dogs greater than 6 months of age prior to starting prevention

39
Q

Heartworm guidelines on the mainland

A

Prevention recommendations may vary

American Heartworm Society recommends year-round prevention and annual testing of all

40
Q

What is the purpose of heartworm prevention

A

Prevents larval stage (L3 and L4)

41
Q

What is the overall effect of heartworm prevention?

A

Stops the development of parasite

42
Q

Can pets still get infected while on prevention?

A

Yes but larvae do not develop past 3rd larval stage

43
Q

Oral heartworm medication

A

Heartgard, Trifexis, Sentinel

44
Q

Topical heartworm medication

A

Revolution

45
Q

What does heartworm treatment do?

A

Eliminates heartworm in a 2-step process

Must get rid of the adult worms and microfilaria separately

46
Q

How does heartworm treatment kill adults?

A

2-3 injections to kill adult heartworms

Usually deep lumbar IM injections

47
Q

How does heartworm treatment kill microfilariae?

A

With a preventative

48
Q

What is Immiticide?

A

Arsenic- based drug

49
Q

In what organs does immiticide have serious side effects?

A

Kidney and liver

50
Q

What happens to the pet as the adult heartworm dies and breaks apart?

A

They cause a reaction in the lungs

An acute respiratory problems

51
Q

What is required for the pet during the treatment?

A

Strict rest for 4 weeks
Especially for the first 7-10 days
Need a cage or kennel confinement for active dogs

52
Q

What does a heartworm infection cause in cats?

A

Respiratory symptoms

can mimic asthma

53
Q

What are the symptoms of heartworm disease in cats?

A

They may not have any symptoms

just cause sudden death

54
Q

Is there heartworm treatment available for cats?

A

No

55
Q

Why do you give indoor cats monthly heartworm preventative?

A

Because mosquitos intermediate hosts

56
Q

DIFIL Testing

A
  • uses lots of blood

- finds microfilaria

57
Q

What do you need for a DIFIL Test?

A

Blood from the LTT tube

The solution that comes with the kit

58
Q

How do you perform a DIFIL Test?

A 
Add the filter on to the syringe
Squirt the blood through the filter
Microfilaria will stick to the filter
Put the filter with a drop of stain onto a glass slide
Examine it under the microscope

Clinical Laboratory Techniques (45 decks)

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