What is detected by serology in heartworm disease?

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Multiple Choice

What is detected by serology in heartworm disease?

Explanation:
In serology for heartworm, the target is a circulating antigen produced by adult female worms. This antigen is shed into the bloodstream, so a test that detects it indicates an established, mature infection with female heartworms. Antibody tests exist and can indicate exposure, but they don’t confirm an active infection because antibodies can persist after worms are cleared or appear with very light or non-mature infections. Eggs aren’t detected in feces for heartworm, since these worms inhabit the heart and pulmonary arteries, not the intestinal tract. There’s no bacterium in blood involved in diagnosing heartworm by serology. So the best fit is detecting antigens from adult female worms.

In serology for heartworm, the target is a circulating antigen produced by adult female worms. This antigen is shed into the bloodstream, so a test that detects it indicates an established, mature infection with female heartworms. Antibody tests exist and can indicate exposure, but they don’t confirm an active infection because antibodies can persist after worms are cleared or appear with very light or non-mature infections. Eggs aren’t detected in feces for heartworm, since these worms inhabit the heart and pulmonary arteries, not the intestinal tract. There’s no bacterium in blood involved in diagnosing heartworm by serology. So the best fit is detecting antigens from adult female worms.

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