First document on the presence of Iraqi Dirofilaria immitis Amall hassen atia and Aleia Y. Yakoob

Abstract

Canine dirofilariasis in Iraq was thought not present. This is the first report of dog
heartworms in our country. Hearts of 22 dogs from various sites in Kerbala province were
examined for Dirofilaria immitis infection. Peripheral blood from dogs with worms in the
heart was examined for microfilaria. Adult worms were found in 16 (73%) hearts.
Microfilaria in blood not tackled in the present work. From these finding we hypothesis that
heartworm disease is usually present in / or imported from those areas that are endemic for
canine dirofilariasis