This test evaluates for the presence of heartworm antigen.
A positive (detected) test indicates infection with adult female heartworms (Dirofilaria immitis). A negative (undetected) test does not rule out heartworm infection. An undetected heartworm result occurs in the prepatent period (5-7 months post infection), low female heartworm burden, single sex infections (male), and in the presence of antibody/antigen complexes.