New Discovery About Heartworm Challenges Long-Held Assumptions About Dogs

Científicos de diversos países hicieron un estudio sobre el gusano que invade el corazón y los pulmones de perros (Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)

A new scientific finding about heartworm disease is reshaping what veterinarians and researchers thought they knew about dogs and how the parasite affects them.

Researchers have identified unexpected behavior in Dirofilaria immitis — commonly known as heartworm — suggesting that the parasite may interact with a dog’s body in ways that were previously underestimated. The discovery challenges long-standing assumptions about how the disease progresses, how dogs respond to infection, and how effective current prevention strategies may be under certain conditions.

La enfermedad se detecta en los perros a través de un análisis de sangre que identifica la presencia de antígenos del gusano del corazón o microfilarias en circulación. (Imagen Ilustrativa Infobae)

Heartworm is a potentially fatal parasitic disease transmitted by mosquitoes and is known to lodge in a dog’s heart, lungs and associated blood vessels. For decades, veterinarians believed the parasite followed a relatively predictable pattern once it entered the host. However, the new findings indicate that heartworms may survive longer, adapt more effectively, or trigger different immune responses than previously thought.

According to researchers, the study shows that some dogs may carry heartworms with fewer obvious symptoms for extended periods, complicating diagnosis and raising concerns about silent infections. In some cases, the parasite appeared capable of persisting even when dogs showed signs of partial resistance or had received inconsistent preventive treatment.

Los investigadores analizaron muestras del parásito de cinco continentes y diversas especies (Freepik)

“This discovery forces us to rethink how heartworm disease develops in dogs,” said one of the researchers involved in the study. “It suggests that the interaction between the parasite and the host is more complex than we assumed.”

Veterinary experts say the findings could have implications for prevention, testing schedules and treatment protocols. While monthly preventive medications remain highly effective when used correctly, researchers stress the importance of consistent use and regular testing, especially in regions where heartworm is widespread.

La investigación mostró claras diferencias genéticas entre gusanos del corazón de distintas regiones, siendo Estados Unidos y Australia los países con mayor diversidad./Archivo Freepik

The study also highlights broader concerns about parasite adaptation and the potential impact of climate change, which has expanded mosquito populations into new areas, increasing the risk of transmission.

Experts caution that dog owners should not panic but instead view the findings as a reminder of the importance of veterinary care. Ongoing research, they say, will be crucial to refining prevention strategies and protecting canine health as understanding of the disease continues to evolve.

Los autores del estudio recomiendan ampliar el muestreo para entender mejor la historia y dispersión del gusano del corazón/Archivo