Heartworm adulticide treatment: a tropical perspective

Filipe Dantas-Torres*, Jennifer Ketzis, Gabriela Pérez Tort, Andrei Daniel Mihalca, Gad Baneth, Domenico Otranto, Malaika Watanabe, Bui Khanh Linh, Tawin Inpankaew, Pablo Borrás, Sangaran Arumugam, Barend Louis Penzhorn, Adrian Patalinghug Ybañez, Peter Irwin, Rebecca J. Traub

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)
16 Downloads (CityUHK Scholars)

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis (the canine heartworm) is widespread in the tropics, with prevalence surpassing 30% in high-risk areas. In addition to the suitable climatic conditions that favour mosquito abundance and filarial larva development, there is low compliance with the recommended year-round use of preventives in these transmission hotspots. This represents a major concern, considering that melarsomine (first-line heartworm adulticide) is unavailable in several tropical countries, resulting in the so-called slow-kill protocol being the only available adulticide treatment option. In this article, the members of TroCCAP (Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites) review the current distribution of heartworm in the tropics and the availability of melarsomine, and discuss alternatives for the management of heartworm infections in dogs. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2023, The Author(s).
Original languageEnglish
Article number148
JournalParasites and Vectors
Volume16
Online published28 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023
Externally publishedYes

Research Keywords

  • Dirofilaria immitis
  • Doxycycline
  • Ivermectin
  • Melarsomine
  • Mosquitoes
  • Moxidectin
  • One health
  • Prevention

Publisher's Copyright Statement

  • This full text is made available under CC-BY 4.0. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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