title: Monoclonal gammopathy associated with heartworm disease in a dog.
abstract: A 12-year-old, intact female, mixed Yorkshire terrier was evaluated for syncopal episodes, weakness, decreased appetite, and weight loss. Heartworm disease was diagnosed based on evidence of circulating microfilariae of Dirofilaria immitis on direct examination of blood smears and a positive SNAP heartworm antigen test. An immunoglobulin G (IgG) gammopathy, demonstrated by serum protein electrophoresis, was associated with heartworm disease in this dog. Response to treatment with both an adulticide and the microfilaricide ivermectin included remission of clinical signs and a decrease in the monoclonal gammopathy. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an IgG gammopathy associated with heartworm disease in the dog.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Strada Provinciale per Casamassima, Km. 3, Valenzano, Bari, 70010 Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: de Caprariis
authors.forename: Mariateresa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasanelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paradies
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Otranto
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lia
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000276:immunology*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007559:Ivermectin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010265:Paraproteinemias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D007559:Ivermectin