Dirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of canine and feline heartworm disease. The
parasite can survive for long periods of time (7years or more) in the circulatory system of
immunocompetent reservoirs, producing usually a chronic inflammatory vascular disease. In
addition, the simultaneous death of groups of adult worms can trigger an acute disease
characterized by the exacerbation of inflammatory reactions and the emergence of serious
thromboembolic events. In the context of the D. immitis/host relationships, the aim of this …