Lungworm infection in laboratory dogs reared in Italy

Lungworms, Filaroides hirthi, were observed in histological lung sections in 4 out of 96 beagle dogs (4.2%) reared for experimental studies in Italy. Infected animals were 2 males and 2 females, 8 months old, with no clinical signs, while in another case a granulomatous lesion, possibly transmitted by this lungworm, was found. Histopathological changes of lung induced by F. hirthi can mimic some drug-induced and neoplastic lesions, and therefore to cause misunderstanding during interpretation of results of toxicological studies. This is the first report of F. hirthi infection of laboratory dogs reared in Italy.