Dirofilaria repens in scrotum of dogs

Out of 150 apparently healthy male dogs from Kerala, India examined, five revealed single worm in the scrotum. They were found protruding out from beneath the tunica vaginalis when it was incised during the castration operation. Genomic DNA isolated from these worms amplified D. repens specific 246 bp PCR products (KP050552, KP050553). Thickened and enlarged epididymis along with interductal fibrosis, congestion of veins and widening of the cavernous spaces of testes and epididymis were observed in the worm infected dogs. Semeniferous tubules were intact and showed various developmental stages of sperms. The infection resulted in less impact on spermatogenesis. The present communication forms the first report from India on the presence of D. repens in the peritoneal location, which is frequently observed in the subcutaneous locations.