Speed Diro

Rapid detection of circulating antigens of Dirofilaria immitis

Presentation

Advantages

Method: Membrane Immunochromatography

Analysis: Detection of circulating antigens of Dirofilaria immitis

Sample: Whole blood with anticoagulant, serum, plasma

Preparation: 2 minutes

Reading: 15 minutes

Storage: 24 months at room temperature (2°C to 30°C)

Presentation: 6 tests

Reliability: Compared with the reference methods, modified Knott and laboratory ELISA:

Sensitivity: 95.2%
Specificity: 99% ⁽¹⁾

The highly sensitivity of Speed Diro makes even occult dirofilariasis (without microfilariae) detection possible.

Quick and easy, Speed Diro can be performed in-clinic, in one step and in only 15 minutes.

Speed Diro can be stored for 24 months at room temperature, between 2°C and 30°C.

Why to use Speed Diro?
Dirofilariasis in dogs and cats is a vector-borne helminthiasis caused by adult filaria parasites that infest the cardiac chambers, lungs and associated vessels. The vectors are mosquitos (Culicidae) which aspirate the larval stages (microfilariae) from the blood and transmit the parasite to other dogs. In endemic areas, the infection may affect as much as 60% of the dog population. In Europe, the Mediterranean basin presents the higest prevalence ⁽²⁾, however many studies suggest an expansion of the disease in dogs towards central and northern Europe ^{(4, 5, 6)}. The clinical signs, which appear several months after inoculation, are not specific (fatigue, coughing, anemia...). The detection of circulating antigens identifies even sub-clinical and occult dirofilariasis (absence of microfilariae ~20% of cases) ⁽³⁾.

Why to use Speed Diro?

Dirofilariasis in dogs and cats is a vector-borne helminthiasis caused by adult filaria parasites that infest the cardiac chambers, lungs and associated vessels. The vectors are mosquitos (Culicidae) which aspirate the larval stages (microfilariae) from the blood and transmit the parasite to other dogs.

In endemic areas, the infection may affect as much as 60% of the dog population. In Europe, the Mediterranean basin presents the higest prevalence ⁽²⁾, however many studies suggest an expansion of the disease in dogs towards central and northern Europe ^{(4, 5, 6)}.

The clinical signs, which appear several months after inoculation, are not specific (fatigue, coughing, anemia...). The detection of circulating antigens identifies even sub-clinical and occult dirofilariasis (absence of microfilariae ~20% of cases) ⁽³⁾.

When to use Speed Diro?
Speed Diro is particularly indicated in endemic areas for the regular screening of exposed animals. Speed Diro can be used to minimize the risks of contamination during blood transfusion. Speed Diro can be used to monitor the efficacy of adulticide treatment.

When to use Speed Diro?

Speed Diro is particularly indicated in endemic areas for the regular screening of exposed animals.

Speed Diro can be used to minimize the risks of contamination during blood transfusion.

Speed Diro can be used to monitor the efficacy of adulticide treatment.

Instructions for use

Bibliography
(1) VENCO L., Evaluation comparative à la technique de Knott et à l’Elisa de Laboratoire en Italie. Unpublished, 2002
(2) TROTZ-WILLIAMS L.A., TREES A.J.. Systematic review of the distribution of the major vector-borne parasitic infections in dogs and cats in Europe. Vet Record, 2003, 152, 97-105
(3) NELSON C.T. et coll. Guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention and management of heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) infection in dogs. Vet Parasitology, 2005, 133, 255-266

(4) Morchon R., Carretón E., Miguel J., Mellado-Hernández I,. Heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) and their vectors in Europe – new distribution trends. Frontiers in Physiology, 2012, Jun.3:196.
(5) Otranto D., Dantas-Torres F., Brianti E., Traversa D., Petric D., Genchi C., Capelli G. Vector-borne helminths of dogs and humans in Europe. Parasit Vectors 2013a, 6, 16.
(6) Genchi C., Mortarino M., Rinaldi L., Cringoli G., Traldi G., Genchi M., Changing climate and changing vector-borne distribution : The exampleof Dirofilaria in Europe. 2011 Vet Parasitol, 176(4):295-9

Websites
AMERICAN HEARTWORM SOCIETY

The American Heartworm Society encourages progress in the study, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of heartworm disease.

Website of AHS
Recommendations of AHS for Heartworm