Diagnosis of canine dirofilariosis in animals which originate from a low - endemic region is difficult for 3 main reasons: 1) possible absence of circulating microfilariae (occult disease), 2) high frequency of a low number of adults, which in turn produces false negative results, using either ELISA or
latex agglutination test, 3) possible false sero - positive results, due to cross-reaction with adult antigens of Dirofilaria (Nochtiella) repens (Schrey, 1996), the agent of subcutaneous dirofilariasis causing chronic pruritic dermatitis in dogs (Tarello, 1999).