Implementation of a Preventative Screen to Detect Heartworm Disease in Local Mosquito Populations

Authors

• Ava Hurley, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
• Emma Weissmeier, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, Fl
• Lucy Corten, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
• Jayden Ockert, HCS Scholars Academy, Conway, SC,
• Jackson Greenwold-Claiborne, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
• Addison Levitz, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC
• Carson Mickey, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fl
• Alexandra Bonner, Tri-Country Technical College, Pendleton, SC
• Paul E. Richardson, Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC

Abstract

Heartworm disease, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, affects thousands of mammalian pets across the nation annually and is increasingly spreading. Various mammalian pets including dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses are affected by the disease, and currently dogs are the only mammalian pets with an approved treatment. This study aims to implement a preventative approach to combating the disease by utilizing a PCR-based screen to detect D. immitis in mosquito populations. Five key objectives were established in this study: refine a preventative screen to detect heartworm DNA in mosquitoes, implement the preventative screen through partnerships with local animal shelters, implement the screen at local residential communities, optimize detection of heartworm DNA at local animal shelters, and determine long-term preservation of heartworm DNA in mosquito samples. Mosquitoes were collected from two local animal shelters, All 4 Paws in Pawley’s Island SC and Kind Keeper in North Myrtle Beach SC, and from residential communities in Myrtle Beach SC, Carolina Forest SC, and Conway SC. These mosquitoes were tested using the PCR-based screen and positive samples were found in both local animal shelters and residential communities in Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Carolina Forest. These results suggest that heartworm disease can be detected in mosquito populations and can identify areas at risk of infection. This preventative PCR-based screen has the potential to be utilized as a resource for the community to monitor areas of high risk and to reduce infection of heartworm disease.

Recommended Citation

Hurley, Ava; Weissmeier, Emma; Corten, Lucy; Ockert, Jayden; Greenwold-Claiborne, Jackson; Levitz, Addison; Mickey, Carson; Bonner, Alexandra; and Richardson, Paul E. (2026) "Implementation of a Preventative Screen to Detect Heartworm Disease in Local Mosquito Populations," Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science: Vol. 24: Iss. 2, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/jscas/vol24/iss2/2