Dinofilaria immitis
Common Name: Heartworm
Scientific Name: Dinofilaria immitis
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Secernentea
Other Taxonomy: Subclass: Spiruria Order: Spirurida Family: Onchocercidae Genus: Dirofilaria
Specimen #: 76
Circumstance: Observed online
Specimen Condition: Specimen presumed dead
Location: Unknown (online)
Typical Habitat: The definitive host is the dog, but it can also infect cats,wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even, under very rare circumstances, humans.
Invasive? Not an invasive species
Natural area of growth: The parasite is commonly called "heartworm"; however, that is a misnomer because the adults actually reside in the pulmonary arterial system (lung arteries) for the most part, and the primary effect on the health of the animal is a manifestation of damage to the lung vessels and tissues. Occasionally, adult heartworms migrate to the right heart and even the great veins in heavy infections
Relationship with humans: The dog heartworm is of negligible public health risk, because it is unusual for humans to become infected. Additionally, human infections usually are of little or no consequence, although rarely an infected human may show signs of respiratory disease. In most cases, however, the heartworm dies shortly after arriving in the human lung, and a nodule, known as a granuloma, forms around the dead worm as it is being killed and absorbed.
Sources:
Scientific Name: Dinofilaria immitis
Phylum: Nematoda
Class: Secernentea
Other Taxonomy: Subclass: Spiruria Order: Spirurida Family: Onchocercidae Genus: Dirofilaria
Specimen #: 76
Circumstance: Observed online
Specimen Condition: Specimen presumed dead
Location: Unknown (online)
Typical Habitat: The definitive host is the dog, but it can also infect cats,wolves, coyotes, foxes and other animals, such as ferrets, sea lions and even, under very rare circumstances, humans.
Invasive? Not an invasive species
Natural area of growth: The parasite is commonly called "heartworm"; however, that is a misnomer because the adults actually reside in the pulmonary arterial system (lung arteries) for the most part, and the primary effect on the health of the animal is a manifestation of damage to the lung vessels and tissues. Occasionally, adult heartworms migrate to the right heart and even the great veins in heavy infections
Relationship with humans: The dog heartworm is of negligible public health risk, because it is unusual for humans to become infected. Additionally, human infections usually are of little or no consequence, although rarely an infected human may show signs of respiratory disease. In most cases, however, the heartworm dies shortly after arriving in the human lung, and a nodule, known as a granuloma, forms around the dead worm as it is being killed and absorbed.
Sources: