a study of dirofilarisis prevalence in dogs in meshkinshahr area, northwest iran

in the endemic focus of kala-azar, in meshkin shahr area, dog dirofilariasls is a metazoan infestation with high endemicity. this study was carried out to indicate prevalence of dirofilariasis in dogs in that district. by using cluster sampling method, from 6000 dogs, 300 dogs were selected by cluster sampling and samples were examined for the presence of microfilaria. we examined tick smear layer of blood sample from 286dogs (14 smears were lost in different stages of survey) all smears were tested using light microscopic examination. microfilaria of dirofilaria immitis in microscopicexamination ofsamples were found in 34.60% (ci, 34.49-35.71) of samples. positivity rates were not different in male and female dogs but the significant in various age groups, with the lowest rate (18.4%) in dogs 1-3 years old. the positivity in aged dogs (older than 10 years) was the highest (56.8%). it is concluded that there were approximately 2000 infected dogs in the villages of the study area. as the sample is reprensentative of the dog population in the area, it is concluded that almost one third of dogs are in fected in this area. this may have untoward effects on the economy of the area which is based on sheep rearing in which dogs play important role.