Technique of histochemical staining on the activity of acid phosphatase for identification of larvae of the first stage of nematodes of Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides and A. reconditum species from the blood of dogs

The technique of staining on the activity of acid phosphatase has been modified, which makes it possible to differentiate between larvae of the first stage of nematodes of four species: Dirofilaria immitis, D. repens, Acanthocheilonema dracunculoides, A. reconditum from the blood of dogs. The method is based on the localization of acid phosphatase in different parts of the body in different types of microfilariae. For visualization, the substrate hydrolysis reaction, which catalyzes acid phosphatase, and the formation of an insoluble stained precipitate in these areas is used. The list of equipment and reagents is attached, a brief description of the process of preparation of clinical material, coloring and criteria of differentiation of species by color is given.