Lesions in the liver and kidney of Dirofilaria immitis-infected dogs following treatment with ivermectin.

Six dogs with spontaneous heartworm disease were injected with a single dose of ivermectin. After 48 h of treatment, microfilariae counts were reduced by 92%-98% of pretreatment counts. In pretreatment biopsies examined by light and electron microscopy, microfilariae were unaltered in the sinusoids of the liver and also in the glomerular capillaries and interstitial blood vessels of the kidney. However, there was irregular thickening and dense deposits in the basement membranes of glomerular capillaries, along with a modest increase in mesangial cells and matrix. In post-treatment liver biopsies examined by light microscopy, there were numerous granulomas in the sinusoids which contained degenerated microfilariae. In post-treatment kidney biopsies there was moderate thickening of glomerular basement membranes along with pronounced proliferation of mesangial cells and matrix. Glomerular capillaries were partially or completely occluded by degenerated microfilariae. In addition, there were interstitial granulomas in the kidney. It was observed with the aid of electron microscopy that highly vacuolated and degenerated microfilariae were incorporated into granulomas in the liver sinusoids of post-treatment biopsies. In post-treatment kidney biopsies glomerular capillaries were usually occluded by degenerated microfilariae. Basement membranes were thickened and contained dense deposits. Mesangial cells and matrix were extensively increased. Interstitial granulomas in the kidney contained dead microfilariae.