title: Dirofilaria immitis: molting process of third-stage larvae.
abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the molting process of Dirofilaria immitis third-stage larvae (L-3) to fourth-stage larvae (L-4), as it occurred in vitro. After 48 hr in vitro, the L-4 epicuticle was completely formed, and by 72 hr there was a clear separation between the L-3 and L-4 cuticles. The thickness of the newly formed L-4 cuticle was significantly less than that which has been described for larvae recovered from dogs after a similar incubation time period. If culture conditions were lacking in bovine albumin or proper temperature, larvae successfully developed the L-4 epicuticle but did not complete ecdysis. The molting process of D. immitis L-3 was thus shown to be multistepped with different factors required to induce the various developmental phases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Grieve
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Oaks
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003470:Culture Media; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005370:Filarioidea / Q000254:growth & development*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine