Autochthonous Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens infection in dogs in Kuwait

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens is a rare but increasingly reported zoonosis in the Middle East. However, eligible animal reservoirs seldom have been investigated in the area until now. Seven (1.8 percent) out of 381 dogs examined in Kuwait carried D. repens microfilariae showing compatible cutaneous clinical signs and positive response to the adulticide and microfilaricide therapies. This study indicates that dogs from Kuwait are natural hosts of D. repens and therefore act as an animal reservoir for the zoonotic condition.