title: Feline Dirofilariosis Due toDirofilaria immitisin Meshkin Shahr District, Northwestern Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dirofilaria immitisis a common nematode of the cardiovascular system, which infects carnivores all over the world. The infection is prevalent in dogs, but in cats and human is rare. Dirofilariosis is transmitted by mosquitoes. Cats are accidental hosts and are naturally resistant to the infection, compared to the dogs. Mild infection can cause severe illness in cats and may lead to death, so it is clinically important to diagnose the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, 103 stray cats were collected from Meshkin Shahr district, Aradabil Province, northwestern Iran that is an endemic area for canine dirofilariosis. Blood samples were prepared from the saphenous vein of each cat and were examined for the presence of microfilariae by the modified Knott test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 2 yr old male cat (0.97%) was microfilaremic. The cat was subjected to necropsy and 4 adultD. immitis(2 male and 2 female worms) were found in the right ventricle of the heart. PCR was then carried out andD. immitiswas confirmed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cats and other carnivores in Meshkin Shahr district are at risk of infection due to the high activity of vectors in this climate and it is important to follow up the infection in this area.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khodabakhsh
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Malmasi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mohebali
authors.affiliation: Meshkin Shahr Station, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zabihollah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zarei
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Eshrat Beigom
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Kia
authors.affiliation: Meshkin Shahr Station, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amrollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Azarm
keywords: Cat; Dirofilariosis; Iran; Microfilariae