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Journals / Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences / 2026 / Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2

Dirofilaria immitis: Latest Developments and Current Status of the Parasite Worldwide

Dirofilaria immitis, dünyadan son gelişmeler ve parazitin bulunduğu durum

Tunay Şentürk(İstanbul Üniversitesi Cerrahpaşa)0009-0000-0405-3781
Aynur Gülanber(İSTANBUL ÜNİVERSİTESİ-CERRAHPAŞA)0000-0002-1703-427X
Pages
165–175
Publication Date
2026-08-31
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Therefore, further studies focusing on preventive measures and control strategies are recommended.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne zoonotic nematode that causes significant pathological conditions in dogs and can also infect humans.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Climate zones and temperature play a crucial role in the epidemiology of this parasite.
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Conclusion & Impact:Therefore, further studies focusing on preventive measures and control strategies are recommended.
🔬Design:Review & Systematic Survey
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Dirofilaria immitis · Dirofilariasis · Mikrofiler

Abstract

Dirofilaria immitis is a mosquito-borne zoonotic nematode that causes significant pathological conditions in dogs and can also infect humans. Climate zones and temperature play a crucial role in the epidemiology of this parasite. In recent years, the increasing number of pet animals, the ease of traveling with dogs, and high mosquito activity in holiday destinations, particularly during summer, have contributed to a rise in infected dogs. Additionally, a lack of awareness among dog owners, the negligence of certain clinical signs by both pet owners and veterinarians, and the consequent failure to perform diagnostic tests have led to a large number of subclinically infected dogs, facilitating the spread of the disease. In this review, current clinical findings, diagnostic methods, treatment approaches, and epidemiological data related to Dirofilaria immitis have been compiled based on recent literature from different parts of the world. In light of these findings, Dirofilaria immitis remains a parasite with high prevalence, frequently overlooked diagnosis, and widespread subclinical infections. Therefore, further studies focusing on preventive measures and control strategies are recommended.

Özet

Dirofilaria immitis, sivrisineklerle bulaştırılan ve köpeklerde önemli patolojik rahatsızlıklara yol açan ve nadiren insanlara da bulaşabilen zoonotik bir nematoddur. Bu parazitin epidemiyolojisinde iklimsel faktörler ve hava sıcaklığı büyük öneme sahiptir. Son yıllarda pet hayvanlarının sayısındaki artış, köpek sahiplerinin köpekleriyle seyahat etmesinin kolaylaşması ve özellikle yaz tatili için gidilen bölgelerde sivrisinek aktivitesinin fazla olması gibi nedenler köpekler arasındaki enfeksiyon oranlarının yükselmesine neden olmuştur. Ayrıca köpek sahiplerinin bu parazite karşı olan farkındalık eksikliği, hasta sahipleri ve veteriner hekimler tarafından bazı klinik bulguların hafife alması veya önemsenmeyişi ve buna bağlı olarak yetersiz teşhis protokolleri, subklinik enfeksiyonları arttırarak bulaşmayı kolaylaştırmaktadır. Bu derlemede, Dirofilaria immitis ‘in biyolojisi, klinik belirtileri, tanı ve tedavi yöntemleri, küresel dağılımı incelenerek bu parazitin veterinerlik ve halk sağlığı açısından önemli olduğu ve daha iyi tanı ve korunma yöntemlerine ihtiyaç duyulduğu vurgulanmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Şentürk, T., Gülanber, A., *, T. Ş. (2026). Dirofilaria immitis: Latest Developments and Current Status of the Parasite Worldwide. Journal of Istanbul Veterinary Sciences, Cilt: 10 Sayı: 2, 165–175. https://doi.org/10.30704/http-www-jivs-net.1859925

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