What is the vector for heartworms?

What is the vector for heartworms?

• A. Flea
• B. Tick
• C. Lice
• D. Mosquito

Answer: (D)

Heartworm transmission relies on a vector, and the mosquito is the carrier that spreads the parasite. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it takes up microfilariae from the blood. Inside the mosquito, those microfilariae develop into infective larvae (L3). On a subsequent bite, the mosquito deposits these larvae into a new host, where they migrate to the heart and pulmonary arteries and mature. Flea, tick, and lice are not involved in spreading heartworms; they transmit other parasites or pathogens, but not Dirofilaria immitis.

Heartworm transmission relies on a vector, and the mosquito is the carrier that spreads the parasite. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it takes up microfilariae from the blood. Inside the mosquito, those microfilariae develop into infective larvae (L3). On a subsequent bite, the mosquito deposits these larvae into a new host, where they migrate to the heart and pulmonary arteries and mature. Flea, tick, and lice are not involved in spreading heartworms; they transmit other parasites or pathogens, but not Dirofilaria immitis.