ClinQuiz: Parasitology - Answer 3A

3A) Incorrect. Although the morphology of these microfilariae is characteristic of Dirofilaria immitis, which is transmitted via mosquitoes, the prepatent period is six to seven months.2 Since this puppy was only 2 months old, adult worms would not be present and producing microfilaria. Antigen would also not be present in a puppy this young because the adult female worms do not produce the antigen detected by commercial assays until at least five to six months after infection.

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