Dirofilaria immitis – Infective microfilariae at the tip of mosquito's proboscis

France, Pays Jean-François

Dog may be infected by heartworm, or Dirofilaria immitis. Mosquitoes are vectors for this filariasis. During the bite, infective microfilariae are released from proboscis, then pass actively through the skin. Man is an unusual host, and represents a dead-end in parasite’s life cycle.