The VetScan Canine Heartworm Rapid Test is a visual and rapid test for the qualitative detection of Dirofilaria immitis (D. immitis) in canine or feline whole blood, serum or plasma. This test is for veterinary use only.
Dirofilaria immitis is a common filarial nematode of dogs, cats and wild canids. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and it has a world-wide distribution. The adult worms reside in the heart and the adjacent blood vessels. The parasite can interfere with the blood circulation, heart functions, and may damage other vital organs.
The VetScan Canine Heartworm Rapid Test is based on using heartworm-specific antibodies in an immunochromatographic sandwich assay. Antibody-coated colloidal gold particles bind to D. immitis antigen in the sample. The bound antigen flows through the strip and is then captured by antibodies on the test strip. The accumulation of the captured gold particle/antigen complex causes a color to become visible in the T (test) area. To serve as a procedural control, a colored line in the C (control) area will always appear regardless if the sample is positive or negative.
