Heartworm is a parasitic disease caused by the development of adult Dirofilaria immitis filaria in the heart cavities of dogs and cats. The parasite is transmitted by mosquito bites (Culicidae).

Canine leishmaniasis is a disease caused by the proliferation in macrophages of a parasite called Leishmania infantum. The disease is transmitted by a small diptera: the sandfly.

These vector-borne diseases have an almost worldwide distribution which is linked to that of their vectors. In Europe, leishmaniasis and dirofilariosis are widespread around the Mediterranean bassin, and co-infections are frequent.

Leishmaniasis manifests itself through polymorphous symptoms (weight loss, anemia, adenomegaly, skin disorders, etc.) that often go unnoticed by the petowner. Asymptomatic or subclinical phases are also frequent and often prolonged.  

Symptoms of heartworm disease may take 5 to 7 months post-infestation to appear. They include coughing, exercise intolerance and progressive heart failure, and usually lead to death.
 

Speed Duo Diro/Leish K can therefore be used to :

• In endemic areas, for regular screening of sub-clinical or potentially exposed animals
• Screening before vaccination, or before preventative molecule implementation
• To confirm a clinical suspicion

Given the potential coexistence of these two diseases and their common distribution area, regular and systematic screening for leishmaniasis and dirofilariosis is recommended: 

• In endemic areas, or when the presence of the vector is high in the environment, screening of potentially carrier animals before their introduction into the community, and implementation of appropriate sanitary measures.
• Prevent the risk of contamination during blood transfusions.  
• In the presence of variable symptoms such as depression, fever, haematological or joint disorders compatible with tick-borne disease, or cardiorespiratory troubles compatible with heartworm

Diagnosis is sometimes difficult due to variable signs, and a combination of blood tests is often necessary to identify the disease.

1. Add 1 drop of sample into each sample well.

2. Add slowly 5 drops of reagent into each sample well. 

3. Read the result at 15 minutes. 

Performance evaluation of Speed Duo Diro/Leish K in comparison with the reference methods Indirect ImmunoFluorescence (IFI) for leishmaniasis, and ELISA for dirofilariosis:

Dirofilaria immitis

(1) European Society of Dirofilariosis and Angiostrongylosis, Guidelines for clinical management of canine heartworm disease, 2017

(2) American Heartworm Society Canine Guidelines for the Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) Infection in Dogs, revised in April 2024

(3) VENCO L., Evaluation comparative à la technique de Knott et à l’Elisa de Laboratoire en Italie, unpublished, 2002

(4) TROTZ-WILLIAMS L.A., TREES A.J.. Systematic review of the distribution of the major vector-borne parasitic infections in dogs and cats in Europe. Vet Record, 2003, 152, 97-105

Leishmania infantum

(1) BOURDOISEAU G., CHENE J. CHABANNE L. et coll. Comparison of a rapid immunochromatographic test with immunofluorescence assay for the detection of anti-Leishmania infantum antibodies in dog. 2nd COongresso Internazionale SCIVAC - Leishmaniosi canina. Pisa - Italy, April 2010.

(2) SOLANO GALLEGO L. et coll. Directions for the diagnosis, clinical staging, treatment and prevention of canine leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 165 (2009) 1-18

(3) TROTZ-WILLIAMS L.A., TREES A.J. Systematic review of the distribution of the major vector-borne parasitic infections in dogs and cats in Europe. Vet Record, 2003, 152, 97-105