Canine Heartworm Disease - An Evaluation of Chemotherapeutic Test Systems

Abstract

Canine heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis). plagues thousands of dogs each year in the United states alone (American Heartworm Society,1975).Since the disease is worldwide (Otto,1974), the number of infected canines is considerably larger. Heartworm disease causes shortness of breath and a general weakness in dogs (American Veterinary Medical Association, Pamphlet). In severe cases the infected canine may die do to an obstruction of blood flow to the lungs and anoxia (Lidster,1973). Currently attempts are being made to check the rising frequency of this disease (American Heartworm Society ,1975).In particular, the following Senior Individualized Project will explore the disease organism, evaluate present test systems used in drug research and illustrate laboratory techniques associated with drug research. In order to do this it was necessary to evaluate chemotherapeutic test systems by 1) carrying out a literature search to become familiar with test. systems already in use and 2) using actual laboratory experimentation as a criterion to evaluate these systems. The following report should illustrate the complexity of chemotherapeutic evaluations.