Albuminuria and proteinuria in dogs infected with Dirofilaria repens: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: It is unknown whether Dirofilaria repens is capable of causing similar glomerular lesions, as does Dirofilaria immitis.

Objective: To determine whether D. repens infection could cause albuminuria or proteinuria.

Animals: Sixty-five clinically healthy laboratory beagle dogs.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, dogs were tested for D. repens infection (modified Knott test, PCR test, D. immitis antigen test) and were grouped as "D. repens infected" or "control" dogs. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UAC) and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC) were measured from samples taken by cystocentesis.

Results: Forty-three (26 infected, 17 control) dogs were included in the final study group. UAC but not UPC level was significantly higher in the infected group (UAC median 12.5; range, 0-700 mg/g and UPC median 0.15; range, 0.06-1.06) than in the control group (UAC median 6.3; range, 0-28 mg/g and UPC median 0.13; range, 0.05-0.64; P = .02 and P = .65). Overt proteinuria (UPC > 0.5) was present in 6/26 (23%) of the infected dogs and 1/17 (6%) of the control dogs. Albuminuria (UAC > 19 mg/g) was detected in 9/26 (35%) dogs in the infected group, and 2/17 dogs (12%) in the control group.

Conclusions and clinical importance: D. repens might cause similar glomerular lesions to those caused by D. immitis.

Keywords: canine; glomerulopathy; subcutaneous dirofilariasis; urinary albumin.