Pathological changes in dirofilariosis in dogs

The present study was conducted to look into the pathomorphological consequences in canine dirofilariosis. Six dogs showing typical signs suggestive of dirofilariosis were subjected detailed necropsy. Post mortem examination revealed right ventricular hypertrophy with presence of adult heartworms in ventricles and, sometimes in lungs and chronic inflammatory changes in liver and kidneys. Histopathological examination of lungs revealed congestion, haemorrhages and alveolar oedema along with infiltration of inflammatory cells. Presence of microfilariae, fragmented and intact, along with haemosiderosis was well evidenced. In kidneys, there was thickening of Bowman's capsule, glomerular sclerosis, tubular atrophy along with interstitial infiltration of inflammatory cells. In liver, pericentral, periportal and perivascular leucocytic aggregation was consistently observed. Fragmented and intact microfilariae were detected in sinusoidal spaces.