Cestodiasis in 2 Puerto Rican crested anoles.

Two adult male Puerto Rican crested anoles (Anolis cristatellus cristatellus) housed in a research facility were presented with debilitation and were euthanized. On autopsy, anole 1 had a large cystic white structure in the left pelvic limb, which protruded through the ruptured epidermis, and a large, poorly demarcated swelling in the right caudal abdomen. Anole 2 had masses in the mid-dorsum, caudal dorsum, left pelvic limb, and tail. These masses contained variably sized cestode larvae, which ruptured into the coelomic cavity. Evaluation of the larvae revealed a thickened and wrinkled anterior end, with a cleft-like invagination, consistent with either a plerocercoid sparganum or a tetrathyridium. Histologically, several cestode larvae were contained in the body wall of both anoles. These were up to 650 µm in diameter, with a thin tegument and a spongy parenchyma. The spongy parenchyma contained numerous, up to 30 µm diameter, sharply demarcated, basophilic-to-black structures (calcareous corpuscles). There was pneumonia and hepatitis in anole 2, suggestive of potential secondary infection subsequent to immunosuppression. Molecular amplification of the cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 revealed 100% homology for the COX1 gene of the diphyllobothriid tapeworm Spirometra erinaceieuropaei, also known as Spirometra mansoni.

Multicenter evaluation of the Vetscan Imagyst system using Ocus 40 and EasyScan One scanners to detect gastrointestinal parasites in feces of dogs and cats.

The Vetscan Imagyst system (Zoetis) is a novel, artificial intelligence-driven detection tool that can assist veterinarians in the identification of enteric parasites in dogs and cats. This system consists of a sample preparation device, an automated digital microscope scanner, and a deep-learning algorithm. The EasyScan One scanner (Motic) has had good diagnostic performance compared with manual examinations by experts; however, there are drawbacks when used in veterinary practices in which space for equipment is often limited. To improve the usability of this system, we evaluated an additional scanner, the Ocus 40 (Grundium). Our objectives were to 1) qualitatively evaluate the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system with the Ocus 40 scanner for identifying Ancylostoma, Toxocara, and Trichuris eggs, Cystoisospora oocysts, and Giardia cysts in canine and feline fecal samples, and 2) expand the assessment of the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system paired with either the Ocus 40 or EasyScan One scanner to include a larger dataset of 2,191 fecal samples obtained from 4 geographic regions of the United States. When tested with 852 canine and feline fecal samples collected from different geographic regions, the performance of the Vetscan Imagyst system combined with the Ocus 40 scanner was correlated closely with manual evaluations by experts. Sensitivities were 80.0‒97.0% and specificities were 93.7‒100.0% across the targeted parasites. When tested with 1,339 fecal samples, the Vetscan Imagyst system paired with the EasyScan One scanner successfully identified the targeted parasite stages; sensitivities were 73.6‒96.4% and specificities were 79.7‒100.0%.

Feline ophthalmomyiasis externa caused by Cuterebra larvae: four cases (2005-2020).

CASE SERIES SUMMARY: Described are four cats diagnosed with ophthalmomyiasis externa caused by Cuterebra larvae. Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify cats with ophthalmomyiasis externa between 2005 and 2020 at Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Signalment, history, clinical and diagnostic findings, treatment and outcome were recorded. All cats were young (< 3 years of age), had outdoor access and were initially examined during the summer months. All cases had unilateral disease with the right eye affected. Two cases had nictitating membrane lesions and two had orbital disease. Concurrent superficial corneal ulceration was present in three cats. Two cats suffered from pyrexia, suspected secondary to inflammation from the larval infestation. Successful larval removal was performed in all cats, which resulted in improvement of discomfort and clinical signs. A corneal ulcer persisted in one cat, which was lost to follow-up prior to ulcer resolution. Parasite identification confirmed Cuterebra species infestation in all cases. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION: To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of feline ophthalmomyiasis externa caused by Cuterebra species. Parasite removal was successful in restoring comfort and resolving clinical signs in all cats with adequate follow-up information.

Evaluation of Parasite Egg and Cyst Recovery Using Devices Designed for Centrifugal or Stationary Flotation.

Two new devices (OT, ST), were recently introduced for the recovery of parasite eggs and cysts for microscopic examination. These devices, two stationary flotation devices, and a standard double-centrifugal sugar-flotation were compared using common flotation solutions and methods recommended by the manufacturers for the recovery of hookworm, ascaridoid, and whipworm eggs from companion animal fecal samples. Additionally, the recovery of Giardia cysts in the OT device using a zinc sulfate versus sodium nitrate solution was evaluated. Double-centrifugal sugar-flotation (1.30 specific gravity) was the most sensitive method for the recovery of the nematode eggs from feces of companion animals. Overall, centrifugation increased the recovery of eggs as compared with standing flotation methods, with the ST performing equivalently to the OT. Although these more recently introduced tests have good sensitivities for the nematodes tested, egg recovery was routinely markedly less than that achieved by standard double-centrifugal sugar-flotation, and false-negatives did occur. Still, the OT and ST generally have increased recoveries over the two standing flotation devices, and are significantly better than these for the recovery of ascaridoid and whipworm eggs from dog and cat samples. Zinc sulfate (1.18 specific gravity) is recommended for the recovery of Giardia cysts when using the OT device.

Conjunctival habronemiasis in a square-lipped rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum).

A captive female square-lipped rhinoceros born in 1993 had been showing intermittent signs of bilateral conjunctivitis and conjunctival proliferation since 1998. Periodic improvement was noted, especially in winter, but overall the condition had deteriorated over the years. Treatment with various topical, intralesional, and systemic antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids was largely ineffective, as were repeated dewormings. No primary cause for these lesions was found in biopsies taken in 2000 and 2006, although a severe infiltrate of numerous eosinophils was observed in the latter. As the condition worsened, secondary corneal changes were noted, and eventually vision was lost due to proliferative conjunctival tissue. Aggressive resection of the proliferating tissue in 2013 restored vision and submitted biopsies yielded a diagnosis of severe allergic conjunctivitis, eosinophilic granuloma, and habronematid (Habronema or Draschia) larval infection. As no other rhinoceros in the herd was affected, including two calves born to the patient who were in close contact with their mother, it was concluded the presentation was most likely due to a hypersensitivity reaction to the dead or dying larvae. Fly repellent is now regularly applied around the eye of this rhinoceros, and a protective face mask has been fitted. Ongoing periodic relapses are treated with oral ivermectin, topical antibiotics, and steroids.

Ophthalmomyiasis interna anterior in a dog: keratotomy and extraction of a Cuterebra sp. larva.

A 1-year-old female spayed mixed-breed dog was presented for evaluation of acute onset of lethargy and blepharospasm OD. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed a segmented larva embedded in the inferonasal iris. Moderate anterior uveitis was present. After pharmacologic dilation, mild vitreal hemorrhage and chorioretinal migration tracks were identified. The dog was treated empirically for uveitis for 5 days, after which a keratotomy and larval foreign body extraction was performed. The dog recovered uneventfully from intraocular surgery and remained visual and comfortable. Parasite evaluation confirmed the larva to be a Cuterebra sp. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of canine ophthalmomyiasis interna anterior, and the first report of successful surgical removal from the anterior segment in a dog with preservation of vision.

First report of Dracunculus insignis in two naturally infected cats from the northeastern USA.

Dracunculiasis is rarely reported in cats, yet over the last few years we have identified two cats with filarioid-like spirurid infections. Case 1 was a 9-year-old cat with pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism from New York tate from which four adult dracunculoid nematodes were isolated from its torso. Based on morphometric characteristics and parasite geographic distribution, the specimens were identified as Dracunculus insignis females; at least one of the females was gravid, suggestive of patent infection. Species identification was confirmed through amplification and sequence analysis of nuclear and mitochondrial loci. Case 2 was a 14-year-old diabetic cat from Massachusetts. Formalin-fixed sections were obtained from a subcutaneous mass excised from the left foreleg. Histopathological examination revealed a large nematode with morphometrical characteristics of Dracunculus, surrounded by lymphocytes and sheets of eosinophils. These two cases appear to be the first published reports of dracunculiasis in domestic cats in the USA, and based on the findings from case 1, D insignis may be the species associated with both infections.

Detecting Aelurostrongylus abstrusus-specific IgG antibody using an immunofluorescence assay.

Diagnosis of feline lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, is typically achieved by identifying larvae in feces following concentration through flotation or using the Baermann technique. This work presents observations on the usefulness of an indirect immunofluorescence antibody assay for detection of antibodies to this parasite in the sera of infected cats. Using first-stage larvae of A abstrusus and sera from both experimentally and naturally infected cats, it was determined that the test was fairly sensitive and did not cross-react with serum from an Ancylostoma braziliense (hookworm)-infected cat.

Serological survey of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) infections in pet cats in Bangkok and vicinities, Thailand.

The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and feline leukemia virus (FeLV) infections was examined using serum or plasma samples from 746 pet cats collected between May and July 2009 from clinics and hospitals located in and around Bangkok, Thailand. The samples were tested for heartworm, FIV, and FeLV using a commercial ELISA. Of the 746 samples, 4.6% (34/746) were positive for heartworm antigen, 24.5% (183/746) had circulating FeLV antigen, and 20.1% (150/746) had antibodies against FIV. In addition, the first 348 submitted samples were tested for T. gondii antibodies using a modified agglutination test (MAT, cut off 1:25); 10.1% (35/348) were seropositive. Of the 348 cats sampled for all four pathogens, 11, 10, and 1 were positive for T. gondii antibodies and FIV antibodies, FeLV antigen, or D. immitis antigen, respectively. Of the 35 T. gondii-seropositive cats, 42.9% (15/35) were co-infected with at least one of the other three pathogens. The presence of antibodies to FIV was significantly associated with both age and gender, while FeLV antigen presence was only associated with age. In the case of FIV, males were twice as likely to be infected as females, and cats over 10 years of age were 13.5 times more likely to be infected than cats less than 1 year of age. FeLV antigen was more common in younger cats, with cats over 10 years of age being 10 times less likely to be FeLV positive than cats under 1 year of age. This is the first survey for these four pathogens affecting feline health in Thailand.

Prevalence of fecal-borne parasites detected by centrifugal flotation in feline samples from two shelters in upstate New York.

Over a 3.5-year period, fecal samples from 1322 cats from two shelters and affiliated foster homes in upstate New York were processed for parasite detection by both 1.18spg zinc sulfate and 1.3spg sugar double centrifugal flotation. In 50.9% of the samples at least one parasite was detected. Overall, 18 different parasites ranging in prevalence from 0.2% to 21% were recovered. The most prevalent parasites of foster and shelter cats in this study were Cystoisospora species and Toxocara cati (21% prevalence, each). In order of percentage of positive samples, other findings were: Giardia species (8.9%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (6.2%), taeniid eggs (3.9%), Cryptosporidium species (3.8%), Aonchotheca species (3.7%), Eucoleus species (2.3%), Ancylostoma species (2.2%), Cheyletiella species (2.0%), Dipylidium caninum (1.1%), Otodectes species, Toxoplasma-like oocysts and Sarcocystis species (0.8% each), Demodex and Spirometra species (0.4% each), and Alaria species and Felicola subrostratus (0.2% each).

Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in dogs and cats: veterinary and public health importance.

Dogs and cats are the only domestic animals that still routinely reside in the same domicile as their owners around the world, and hence the interest in their role as reservoirs of potentially zoonotic agents. In the case of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, current data suggests that dogs and cats do not routinely share their infections with healthy people. Dogs are hosts of Cryptosporidiumcanis and Giardiaduodenalis Assemblages C and D. Cats are hosts to Cryptosporidiumfelis and G. duodenalis Assemblage F. Dogs and cats (and other animals) are sometimes infected with sub-Assemblage AI, an Assemblage also found in people, but people usually have sub-Assemblage AII. Unfortunately, severely immunocompromised individuals and malnourished children can be made ill by infections with C. canis and C. felis. People should practice good sanitation and hygiene to minimize environmental contamination and contact with the infectious (oo)cysts that may be shed by their pets.