Heartworm disease is transmitted by zoo-anthropophylic mosquitoes and represents a disease of great importance to Public Health, since humans develop pulmonary nodular disease, or severe skin and ocular lesions. In carrier animals such as dogs, cats and mustelids the disease may develop clinical signs such as respiratory distress, subcutaneous nodules, ascites and hemoptysis, while in primates the disease is asymptomatic. In Ecuador, there are few studies and reports on filariasis and those are limited to canines. The aim of this study is to describe the diagnosis of filariasis conducted on a female chichico (Leontocebus nigricollisgraellsi) monkey by microscopic and serological analysis. The chichico monkey was taken to the premises of the "TUERI Fund" located at the Hospital Docente de EspecialidadesVeterinarias de la Universidad San Francisco de Quito by the Enviromental Police Unit. The primate was in captivity in southern Quito and its wild origen is unknown. A blood sample smear demonstrated the presence of microfilaria in the sample. Subsequently, an ELISA test was performed using the IDEXX kit SNAP 4DX, demonstrating a positive result for Dirofilaria immitis antigen. Finally, an animal necropsy was performed and some adult parasites were found in the abdominal cavity. This study is the first report of dirofilariasis located at the abdominal cavity in a chichico monkey in Ecuador. Through this report, the presence of heartworm disease is confirmed in Ecuador and because it has a zoonotic implication more attention should be payed and more research in this field should be conducted to generate future prevention strategies. Since this disease can be asymptomatic in primates it is necessary to perform immunological and blood tests that facilitate the diagnosis.
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