| Abstract: | Microfilaria of Dirofilaria immitis from two heavily infected dogs were detected and measured using the Modified Knott's technique and the Difil Filter testᵃ. Variations in the procedures of the two tests were compared as to their effect on the length of the microfilaria. The factors evaluated for their effects were anticoagulant, hemolyzing agent, time elapsed, and stain. Anticoagulant and time elapsed were found to have no statistically significant effect. Stain was found to have a small, but statistically significant effect. The Difil hemolyzing agentᵃ was found to have a highly significant effect on length. It was concluded that microfilaria measured using the Difil testᵃ will be reduced to the point where many fall into the reported range for Dipetalonema reconditum. The hemolyzing agent used in the Difil testᵃ was found to be the factor causing this size difference. |
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