Lethal cysticercosis in a pet rabbit

Abstract

A one-year-old neutered female crossbreed rabbit died unexpectedly after initially responding to symptomatic treatment over a three-month period for recurrent gut stasis, inappetence and lethargy. Postmortem examination revealed numerous fibrous tracks within the liver from which flattish ovoid parasites could be extruded. Parasites were also found in large numbers throughout the peritoneal cavity. Histopathology confirmed verminous hepatitis with numerous parasitic granulomas within the parenchyma of the liver containing intact and degenerate parasites. The severity of the parasitic burden and associated liver damage was the presumed cause of death. Intact parasites showed morphological features consistent with Taenia pisiformis at 6–15 days postinfection. Species identification was confirmed by PCR sequence analysis. The rabbit was fed on hay sourced from a local farm, commercially available nuggets and washed vegetables. It did not graze outside. Hay contaminated with dog or fox faeces was the presumed source of infection.

The Health and Future of the Six Hare Species in Europe: A Closer Look at the Iberian Hare

“…Generally, cysticercosis does not give rise to clinically relevant signs in lagomorphs [61]. Light infections are unapparent, although heavy infections can cause abdominal distension and discomfort [73,74]. Notwithstanding, a negative relation between cysticercosis and kidney fat index in Iberian hare and loss of prolificacy in New Zealand rabbits has been described [61,75,76].…”

“…There is little information on the prevalence and species diversity of cestode infections in rabbits because of their low pathogenicity and the limited opportunities available to diagnose infection [74]. In the European brown hare, the prevalence of T. pisiformis found in northern Italy was 14.8% (8/54) in 2013 and 3.28% (2/61) in 2015 [61].…”

“…A combination of pathological-, parasitological-, and molecular-based techniques is usually employed for diagnostic purposes [74].…”

“…Liver parenchyma around protoscolex sections of cysts is usually surrounded by a fibrous reaction or granulomatous inflammation with multinucleated giant cells, macrophages, plasma cells, and many eosinophils (Figure 8). Multifocal to disseminated interstitial chronic hepatitis with diffuse biliary stasis may be observed [74].…”

“…At the parasitological examination, cysticerci appear as small, transparent, fluid-filled cysts with a broad anterior and narrow, tail-like posterior. Examination by light microscopy using staining techniques can reveal features consistent with described morphologies of T. pisiformis cysticerci, namely, corrugated tegument, apical tegument invagination, and invagination canal [74,[82][83][84][85].…”