OBJECTIVE: To compare heartworm serum antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) test results, using commercial laboratories and in-house heartworm test kits, with necropsy findings in a population of shelter cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 330 cats at an animal shelter. PROCEDURE: Between March and June 1998, 30 ml of blood was collected from the cranial and caudal venae cavae of 330 cats that were euthanatized at a local animal shelter. Results of heartworm Ab and Ag serologic tests for heartworm infection were compared with necropsy findings in this population of cats, using commercial laboratories and in-house test kits to measure serum Ab and Ag concentrations. RESULTS: On necropsy, adult Dirofilaria immitis were found in 19 of 330 (5.8%) cats. Combining results from serum Ab and Ag tests achieved higher sensitivities than using serum Ab and Ag test results alone (i.e., maximum sensitivities of 100% vs 89.5%, respectively, whereas use of serum Ag and Ab test results alone achieved higher specificities compared with the use of a combination of serum Ab and Ag results (i.e., maximum specificities of 99.4% vs 92.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of our findings, if a cat has clinical signs that suggest heartworm disease despite a negative heartworm serum Ab test result, an alternative heartworm Ab test, a heartworm Ag test, thoracic radiography, or two-dimensional echocardiography should be performed.
OBJECTIVE: To compare heartworm serum antibody (Ab) and antigen (Ag) test results, using commercial laboratories and in-house heartworm test kits, with necropsy findings in a population of shelter cats. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 330 cats at an animal shelter. PROCEDURE: Between March and June 1998, 30 ml of blood was collected from the cranial and caudal venae cavae of 330 cats that were euthanatized at a local animal shelter. Results of heartworm Ab and Ag serologic tests for heartworm infection were compared with necropsy findings in this population of cats, using commercial laboratories and in-house test kits to measure serum Ab and Ag concentrations. RESULTS: On necropsy, adult Dirofilaria immitis were found in 19 of 330 (5.8%) cats. Combining results from serum Ab and Ag tests achieved higher sensitivities than using serum Ab and Ag test results alone (i.e., maximum sensitivities of 100% vs 89.5%, respectively, whereas use of serum Ag and Ab test results alone achieved higher specificities compared with the use of a combination of serum Ab and Ag results (i.e., maximum specificities of 99.4% vs 92.9%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of our findings, if a cat has clinical signs that suggest heartworm disease despite a negative heartworm serum Ab test result, an alternative heartworm Ab test, a heartworm Ag test, thoracic radiography, or two-dimensional echocardiography should be performed.
Authors: A Ray Dillon; Bryon L Blagburn; Michael Tillson; William Brawner; Betsy Welles; Calvin Johnson; Russell Cattley; Pat Rynders; Sharron Barney Journal: Parasit Vectors Date: 2017-11-09 Impact factor: 3.876
Authors: Brian J Luria; Julie K Levy; Michael R Lappin; Edward B Breitschwerdt; Alfred M Legendre; Jorge A Hernandez; Shawn P Gorman; Irene T Lee Journal: J Feline Med Surg Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 2.015