The ELISA heartworm test kit detects the antigens of which heartworm stage?

The ELISA heartworm test kit detects the antigens of which heartworm stage?

• A. Heartworm microfilariae
• B. Female adult heartworms
• C. Adult heartworms and microfilariae
• D. Toxins produced by adult heartworms

Answer: (B)

ELISA heartworm tests are antigen tests that look for circulating proteins produced specifically by adult female heartworms. Because these antigens come from mature female worms, a positive result indicates an infection with at least one female adult worm. Microfilariae are not the source of these antigens, so their presence isn’t detected by this test; a separate method is used to detect microfilariae. Infections with only male worms or with very young worms may yield negative results, since there may be no female worms producing detectable antigen yet. The option mentioning toxins is incorrect because the test targets antigen, not toxins.

ELISA heartworm tests are antigen tests that look for circulating proteins produced specifically by adult female heartworms. Because these antigens come from mature female worms, a positive result indicates an infection with at least one female adult worm. Microfilariae are not the source of these antigens, so their presence isn’t detected by this test; a separate method is used to detect microfilariae. Infections with only male worms or with very young worms may yield negative results, since there may be no female worms producing detectable antigen yet. The option mentioning toxins is incorrect because the test targets antigen, not toxins.