STUDY ON DIROFILARIOSIS IN MILITARY DOGS WITHIN THE ARMY OF SERBIA

Abstract

Dirofilariasis is a parasitic disease, caused with Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens. Dirofilariasis can appear as a heart form and as a cutaneus form. For the spreading of dirofilariasis, the presence of mosquitoes is nessessary, because they serve as vectors Also a part of dirofilaria life cycle is developed with in the vector. Dirofilariasis can be found in dogs and cats and sometimes in humans. Even though dirofilariasis was primeraly known as a disease found in mediteranian countries, through the years it has spread out to the north and west of Europe, so now clinical cases of dirofilariasis can be found in middle Europe, including Srbija. First data on dirofilariasis in Serbia were published in 1999. and since that time there is a follow up on dirofilariasis in several regions of Serbia. During a six year period (2004. to 2010.) a study on dirofilariasis in millitary dogs within the army of Serbia was done. A few cases of adult dirofilaria were found in dogs hearts at autopsy. The  study was done on 71 serum samples, from dogs of diferent age, during the study period and a total seroprevelance of 14% was found.