A nationwide serological survey for Dirofilaria immitis in companion cats in the United States of America: 3.5

Feline heartworm disease (HWD) is a complex and often misdiagnosed disease in cats, caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria immitis. Despite its significant impact, studies reporting the prevalence of D. immitis in apparently healthy pet cats in the USA are lacking. To investigate feline heartworm seroprevalence in apparently healthy pet cats in the USA, serum samples (n = 2165) collected from cats across 47 states and Washington District of Columbia were analyzed for D. immitis antibody (Heska Corp.) and antigen (DiroCHEK®; Zoetis Inc.) with and without acid treatment of the samples. Antibodies to D. immitis antibodies were identified in 3.5