Tetrathyridiosis in a domestic shorthair cat

Abstract

Case summaryThis report describes the clinical and parasitological findings in a domestic shorthair cat with isolated thoracic tetrathyridiosis. The cat was a stray from Malta that had lived in Germany for several years since as an indoor-only cat. Therefore, the process of infection remains very unusual. In this case it must be considered that the cat had been infected years previously while in Malta, and had lived at least 4 years without any clinical signs. It was possible to diagnose this uncommon disease and initiate an effective treatment with fenbendazole, praziquantel and supportive care. Clinical signs, as well as radiographic findings, were regressive with this treatment.Relevance and novel informationTetrathyridiosis is a rare finding in cats, especially in Germany, but it seems to be a potential differential diagnosis of pleural effusion. Mesocestoides corti, which was the causative parasite in this case, has not previously been isolated in Germany. Because tetrathyridiosis is only diagnosed post mortem in most cases, little is known about effective therapeutic options. Furthermore, clinical signs of this disease can be absent for several years and can potentially be triggered by neoplastic conditions or immunosuppression. Tetrathyridiosis seems to be a treatable disease that can be controlled by adequate antiparasitic therapy.

Verschlungen – Bandwürmer bei Katzen

“…Diese Bandwürmer haben für Endwirte kaum gesundheitliche Bedeutung, die bis zu 40 cm großen Spargana von Spirometra können allerdings in Säugern (einschließlich Menschen und Katzen) nach oraler Aufnahme in die Unterhaut, Muskulatur und Körperhöhlen und die darin befindlichen Organe einwandern und eine Sparganose verursachen. Diese extraintestinale Form kann durch bildgebende Verfahren diagnostiziert werden, wobei eine ätiologische Diagnose meist nur durch Entnahme von Biopsien und molekulare Typisierung möglich ist 9 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 .…”

UK report of tapeworm Mesocestoides litteratus

“…Vets should also be aware of a rare form of disease associated with the larval stages of this cestode: once ingested, tetrathyridia may multiply asexually, penetrate the intestinal wall and invade the peritoneal cavity with potential to cause life‐threatening peritonitis 5, 6 . Although rare, these tapeworms can also infect people, with some 27 cases reported worldwide, mostly from Asia and as a result of consuming wild game viscera 7 …”

The Neglected Angio-Neurotrophic Parasite Gurltia paralysans (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae): Northernmost South American Distribution, Current Knowledge, and Future Perspectives

“…Rare and underestimated felid parasites such as the nematodes Dracunculus insignis (Dracunculidae) [4], Brugia malayi (Onchocercidae) [5,6], Thelazia callipaeda (Thelaziidae) [7,8], Ollanulus tricuspis (Molineidae) [9,10], Physaloptera praeputialis (Physalopteridae) [11], Oslerus rostratus (Filariodidae), Troglostrongylus subcrenatus (Crenosomatidae), and Angiostrongylus chabaudi (Angiostrongylidae) [12]; the trematode Amphimerus sp. (Opisthorchiidae) [13]; and the cestode Mesocestoides corti (Mesocestoididae) [14] have been documented in domestic cats (Felis catus) in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Additionally, Gurltia paralysans is a rare metastrongyloid nematode in South America that has begun to gain relevance in feline internal medicine as a differential diagnosis of progressive degenerative myelopathy disorders.…”