Hesselink J W
Klinika Veterinaria Parera, Curaçao.
Tijdschr Diergeneeskd. 1988 Aug 15;113(15-16):853-9.
In view of its distribution in (sub)tropical areas, heartworm in dogs is of increasing importance as an import disease, also in the Netherlands. The present study is particularly concerned with the prevalence of the asymptomatic forms of this disease in Curaçao. In this study 631 blood samples were tested. Sixty-six dogs (10 per cent) were found to be infected with Dirofilaria. Haemoglobin and haematocrit levels were determined. Breed, age, sex and major symptoms were recorded. The prevalence of the worm in males (12.8 per cent) was significantly higher than it was in females (7.2 per cent). Of the infected animals, 39 per cent were asymptomatic carriers of the disease, two of them being about to be shipped to the Netherlands. Heartworm disease therefore is a real possibility in imported dogs in the Netherlands and this diagnosis should be considered in animals showing pulmonary and circulatory problems. The life cycle, therapy and prevention of Dirofilaria immitis are discussed.
鉴于犬心丝虫分布于（亚）热带地区，作为一种输入性疾病，其在荷兰的重要性日益增加。本研究特别关注库拉索岛这种疾病无症状形式的流行情况。在本研究中，对631份血样进行了检测。发现66只犬（10%）感染了恶丝虫。测定了血红蛋白和血细胞比容水平。记录了品种、年龄、性别和主要症状。雄犬的蠕虫感染率（12.8%）显著高于雌犬（7.2%）。在感染动物中，39%是该疾病的无症状携带者，其中两只即将被运往荷兰。因此，犬心丝虫病在荷兰的进口犬中确实有可能发生，对于出现肺部和循环系统问题的动物应考虑进行此项诊断。文中还讨论了犬恶丝虫的生命周期、治疗方法和预防措施。
