Jul 2026· Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation· pp.
10406387261467915
· 0 citations· 28 references
Medicine
TL;DR
6 cases of cats parasitized by Platynosomum illiciens are described and a diagnosis of platynosomosis caused by P. illiciens is confirmed.
Abstract
Platynosomosis is a parasitic disease of cats and other animal species, caused by trematodes of the genus Platynosomum. These flukes can infect the liver parenchyma, biliary ducts, and gallbladder. In cats, this parasite is most commonly associated with inapparent infections; however, clinical infections with cholangiohepatitis have also been described. Platynosomum spp. are also related to the development of cholangiocarcinoma. Here, we describe 6 cases of cats parasitized by Platynosomum illiciens. Four of these cats were also infected with feline leukemia virus; 5 were parasitized with Spirometra mansoni, 4 with Ancylostoma sp., and 1 with Dirofilaria immitis. Clinical and coprologic evaluations were performed on all individuals. Five cats had severe clinical decline, which prompted euthanasia. On autopsy, these 5 animals had diffuse cholangiohepatitis with intralesional trematodes. Gross and microscopic lesions, parasite and egg morphology, PCR, and DNA sequencing with a Bayesian inference phylogenetic tree and haplotype network confirmed a diagnosis of platynosomosis caused by P. illiciens.
The genus Babesia contains haemoprotozoan parasites that cause feline babesiosis, an ailment spread by ticks. Several species of Babesia have been found in cats, the most common of which being Babesia felis. A two-year-old intact male Himalayan cat was presented with the signs of anorexia, lethargy, dehydration, moderate jaundice and decreased urination. The cat was in lateral recumbency and the clinical examination showed palpable lymphadenopathy, icteric mucous membranes, pyrexia and severe dehydration. Anaemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated liver parameters and hypoproteinaemia were all found by hematobiochemical analysis. The causative agent was identified as B. felis by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The cat was treated with primaquine phosphate, doxycycline and supportive therapy. The cat recovered uneventfully with normal hematobiochemical parameters. This report details the diagnostic approach and successful therapeutic management of B. felis infection in a cat.
H. V. Sanjay, S. P. Abhijith, H. J. Apoorva et al.· Indian Journal of Veterinary...· 0 citations
Amebiasis is a parasitic disease primarily associated with amoeboid protozoa of the genus Entamoeba; however, comparable infections may also be caused by other genera in different hosts. In reptiles, it is mainly attributed to Entamoeba invadens, which can be fatal in several species. This report describes an outbreak of amebiasis in two species of testudines, red-footed tortoises (Chelonoidis carbonarius) and black-bellied sliders (Trachemys dorbigni), from a wildlife screening and rehabilitation centre in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The facility housed around 130 testudines, and between 2022 and 2024, 79 animals died, of which 21 were diagnosed with amebiasis based on post-mortem examination. Clinical signs were non-specific, including anorexia, lethargy, reluctance to move and sudden death. Histological lesions were most frequent in the liver (17/21), duodenum (10/21) and colon (4/21), but were also present in the coelomic wall (4/21), lungs (2/21) and spleen (1/21). Lesions were characterized by necrosis, fibrin deposition and inflammatory infiltrates of lymphocytes and histiocytes, associated with numerous intralesional amoeboid protozoa. For diagnostic confirmation and species-level identification, polymerase chain reaction was performed on frozen tissues from six animals, targeting the amplification of a 109 bp fragment of the E. invadens 18S rRNA gene. Based on the pathological and molecular findings, along with protozoan species identification, a definitive diagnosis was established. Although amebiasis has been reported previously in reptiles, including red-footed tortoises, this is the first description in black-bellied sliders. This study highlights the importance of amebiasis as a cause of morbidity and mortality in captive testudines.
C. Amaral, Lorena S. Bezerra, Daniele C. de Oliveira Freitas et al.· Journal of Comparative Patho...· 0 citations
Mixed parasitic infections are prevalent in dogs, often leading to significant clinical issues and posing zoonotic risks to humans. Dogs can simultaneously harbor ectoparasites such as fleas and ticks and endoparasites such as gastrointestinal nematodes. These parasites can induce dermatological and gastrointestinal disorders and serve as vectors or reservoirs for zoonotic infections. This case report describes a rare triple parasitic co-infection involving Ctenocephalides canis, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and Toxocara canis in a domestic dog in Bangladesh and highlights the diagnostic approach and effective treatment strategy. A 2-year-old male local breed dog presented to the veterinary clinic at Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, exhibiting severe pruritus, reduced body condition score, and enteric signs. Parasites were collected and identified through gross examination and detailed morphological analysis under a stereomicroscope (Olympus SZ61, Olympus Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Key diagnostic features included cervical alae in T. canis, genal and pronotal combs in C. canis, and a hexagonal basis capitulum in R. sanguineus. Treatment consisted of an oral combination of sarolaner (1200 µg/kg), moxidectin (24 µg/kg), and pyrantel pamoate (5000 µg/kg), accompanied by supportive therapy and environmental control measures. Morphological examination identified 35 adult Ctenocephalides canis, 12 adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus and 4 adult Toxocara canis, thereby indicating a concurrent triple infection. Following treatment, clinical improvement was observed within 48 h, characterized by a marked reduction in pruritus and improved appetite. A follow-up examination at 14 days revealed no visible ectoparasites and a negative fecal flotation test for T. canis eggs. Complete clinical recovery was recorded during the 30-day follow-up period. This case underscores the clinical and zoonotic significance of mixed parasitic infections in dogs. Routine parasitic screening and preventive measures are crucial within a One Health framework to minimize zoonotic transmission risks.
Tanvir Ahmed Joy· Bulletin of the National Res...· 0 citations
Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus canadensis (genotypes G8 and G10) are emerging parasites of concern across North America. Historically confined to northern and western regions, both species have been detected with increasing frequency in new geographic areas in wildlife, domestic dogs, and humans. Both Echinococcus spp have indirect life cycles involving carnivore definitive hosts (domestic and wild canids) and either herbivore intermediate hosts (for E canadensis) or rodents (for E multilocularis). For E multilocularis, domestic dogs can serve as both definitive hosts, shedding eggs into the environment, and aberrant intermediate hosts that can develop severe, often fatal alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Clinical presentations in dogs with AE include hepatic masses, abdominal distension, anorexia, and hematological abnormalities. Intestinal Echinococcus spp infections in canids can be treated with products that contain praziquantel, but treatment of canine AE cases is complicated and has a poor prognosis. Intestinal infections can be diagnosed by fecal examinations and detection of eggs; however, importantly, the eggs are morphologically indistinguishable from Taenia spp. Molecular testing is therefore essential to definitively determine the parasite species. Given expanding parasite ranges, the close human-dog bond, and the severity of disease in both dogs and people, enhanced surveillance programs and routine veterinary testing and treatment protocols are important to minimize the risk of infection. Because diagnosis is important to prevent infection, the companion Currents in One Health by Garrett et al, AJVR, July 2026, investigates different methods of detection using fecal testing.
Kayla B. Garrett, Christopher A. Cleveland, Casey G. Dukes et al.· Journal of the American Vete...· 0 citations
Background:
Leishmaniasis is an infectious zoonotic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, which is transmitted by hematophagous sand flies. This disease is endemic in Colombia, it is more frequently reported in rural areas and dogs are the main domestic reservoirs. This case report describes the first confirmed case of canine leishmaniasis in an urban area of Medellín, Colombia.
Case Description:
A 6-year-old intact male Belgian Malinois dog, resident in the urban area of Medellín, was presented for consultation due to lameness, lethargy and inappetence. The initial clinical presentation was acute, but one month later its condition worsened with the appearance of subcutaneous nodules, weight loss, a hirsute coat, sublingual ulcers and joint inflammation. Laboratory analysis revealed anemia, thrombocytopenia and hyperglobulinemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed splenomegaly, lymphadenomegaly and signs of chronic kidney disease. A complete qPCR panel for hemoparasites was positive for Leishmania spp. with a high parasitic load, and sequencing identified Leishmania infantum. The diagnosis was confirmed by cytology of subcutaneous nodules, which revealed amastigotes, and serology detected anti-Leishmania antibodies. Treatment with allopurinol (11 mg/kg PO q24h) was administered for 8 months, supplemented with domperidone (0.5 mg/kg PO q24h) for 4 weeks and marbofloxacin (3 mg/kg SC once then PO for 15 days). Clinical signs resolved progressively, thrombocytopenia and anaemia normalised, and follow-up qPCR tests at 7 and 9 months were negative.
Conclusion:
This is the first reported case of canine leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum in the urban area of Medellín, diagnosed by qPCR, cytology, and serology. The treatment protocol based on prolonged administration of allopurinol, domperidone and marbofloxacin achieved clinical remission, with negative follow-up qPCR results at months 7 and 9. This case highlights the need for surveillance in urban areas due to the potential displacement of vectors and the close contact between people and domestic reservoirs.
Felipe Amador-Luján, Isabel Montoya-Álvarez, L. Giraldo-Martínez et al.· Open Veterinary Journal· 0 citations
The case of a 65-year-old man with a history of recent travel to a tropical country who was found to have multiple hepatic abscesses is presented and the clinical and microbiological picture was most consistent with amoebic liver abscess secondary to E. histolytica; however, the presence of Blastocystis species introduces uncertainty around its clinical significance.
S. Cao, Hasan Hamze, R. Lester· Access Microbiology· 0 citations