Canine Heartworm ELISA Kit

INTENDED USE

Canine heartworm ELISA kit is intended for measuring heartworm antigen (dirofilaria immitis) using canine plasma or serum samples. This assay has a qualitative standard range.

BACKGROUND

Heartworms (dirofilaria immitis) are mainly found in dogs, cats and ferrets, they are also known to occur in wild animals for example foxes, wolves and sea lions. In the heart they produce tiny larvae which are known as microfilariae, these are able to live in the blood stream. When a mosquito sucks the blood of an infected animal, these microfilariae are able to enter the mosquito. After about two weeks these microfilariae are able to develop into larger larvae within the mosquito and then migrate to the mouth of the mosquito. The larvae in now able to enter other animal’s skin when then mosquito bites another animal.

The larvae then roam through the blood stream of the animal, looking for a suitable site to pupate. The site is usually in the lungs or under the skin near a joint where there are lots of blood vessels and oxygen for development. Once they have reached this location, they develop into adult worms buried deep in lung tissue or muscle tissue up to 3 meters from their initial location. Adult worms are 2-4cm long and white or cream coloured with four pairs of legs protruding from one side in a star shape.

There are many blood tests which can be used in order to detect heartworm infection for example Knott’s test and filter tests. Serologic tests are also available in order to detect antigens of heartworms present in the bloodstream. One of the most common and most frequently used is the ELISA assay. There is also evidence that some ELISA antigen tests can cross react to Dirofilaria SPP (rapens/Dipetalonema).

SENSITIVITY

The standard range of heartworm (dirofilaria immitis) antigen using current canine heartworm ELISA kit is qualitative. Please contact us for the protocol insert for more details.

REFERENCES

1. Antibody to the Dirofilaria immitis aspartyl protease inhibitor homologue is a diagnostic marker for feline heartworm infections. J Parasitol. (1998) 84 (6): 1231-6. Frank G.R., et al.
2. Comparison of a whole-blood agglutination test and an ELISA for the detection of the antigens of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs. Ann Trop Med Parasitol. (1998) 92 (1): 73-7. Wang L.C.
3. Enzyme immunoassay of Dirofilaria immitis-specific IgE in infected dogs. Vet Parasitol. (1988) 30 (1): 45-56. Gershwin L.J., et al.
4. Evaluation of a new in-clinic method for the detection of canine heartworm antigen. Vet Parasitol. (2011) 177 (3-4): 387-91. Lee A.C., et al.
5. Validation for use with coyotes (Canis latrans) of a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for Dirofilaria immitis. Vet Parasitol. (2002) 109 (1-2): 45-58. Sacks B.N., et al.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Full Name: Canine Heartworm ELISA Kit
• Reactivity: Canine
• Sample Type: Serum, Plasma
• Sensitivity: Qualitative

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