Developing Heartworm Diagnostics Towards Improved Understanding of Infection Risk and Disease Preparedness

Heartworm is a zoonotic, mosquito-borne infection of dogs, caused by the nematode Dirofilaria immitis. This parasite causes congestive heart failure in dogs, and pulmonary/subcutaneous dirofilariasis in humans. Dirofilariasis control is challenging due to a limited spectrum of available drugs, and sub-optimal diagnostics. This project will contribute to diagnostic development by linking circulating RNA/DNA/protein biomarker profiles to key infection stages in dogs, developing tools that will directly enhance our stakeholder's (Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health) progress in heartworm drug discovery, as well as improving global efforts to track this zoonotic disease. It will also build baseline understanding of environmental drivers of heartworm by collecting survey data on stakeholder knowledge/experience of heartworm infection, and sampling for competent vector mosquitos in UK/Ireland.