SummaryIt has been shown that the interaction ofDirofilaria immitismicrofilariae (Mf) opsonized with sera from infected but amicrofilaraemic dogs (occult dogs) stimulated the respiratory burst and degranulation of neutrophils as measured by chemiluminescence and iodination. Sera from normal and microfilaraemic dogs gave either low level or non‐significant reactions. Since the sera required were also those required for neutrophil–mediated cytotoxicity toD. immitisMfin vitro, the results suggested that the products of oxygen reduction as well as the myeloperoxidase system could be involved in the killing of Mf by neutrophils. However, whether these pathways have a major role to play in neutrophil–mediated cytotoxicity to Mf is uncertain, as various chemical and enzymatic inhibitors of the products of the respiratory burst were unable to prevent or reduce cytotoxicity. Azide, which is a known inhibitor of the iodination reaction, also failed to reduce cytotoxicity.