Dipetalonema reconditum (Grassi, 1889) from the Dog with a Note on its Development in the Flea, Ctenocephalides felis and the Louse, Heterodoxus spiniger

Abstract

1.In Kenya Dipetalonema reconditum is a common parasite of dogs, jackals and hyaenas. Usually microfilarial densities in the blood are very low. The adult worms are small; they can be detected at autopsy by searching the subcutaneous fascial spaces with a dissecting microscope.2.The morphology of the adult worms is described and illustrated. The adults and microfilariae are readily distinguished from other species found in dogs in East Africa.3.The main intermediate host of D. reconditum in dogs in Kenya is the flea Ctenocephalides felis. If fleas are kept on dogs for more than a week they can be used for xenodiagnosis to detect very low density infections.4.The infective larvae have a characteristic caudal morphology with three terminal projections. They are very similar to the infective larvae of D. arbuta, D. vite and D. manson-bahri.