REVIEW OF DIOCTOPHYME RENALE: ETIOLOGY, MORPHOLOGY, BIOLOGY, ECOEPIDEMIOLOGY, PATHOGENESIS, SYMPTOMATOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION.

Dioctophyme renale has a worldwide distribution and has been diagnosed in several wild and domestic animals as well as in humans. As numerous reports in the literature exist concerning the presence of D. renale in different animal species, as well as its diagnosis, treatment, and confirmation in new geographic areas, we reviewed existing information to contribute to the knowledge of the etiology, biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of D. renale. Results of dioctophymosis may range from asymptomatic infection to even death of the host. Diagnosis is based on data from morphology, imaging, and antibody testing, with surgical treatment being the most effective. A high potential for infection of pets exists when there is overlap with wild parasitized animals; given common risk factors for infections in humans, D. renale should be considered as having zoonotic potential.

Capillaria hepatica in man--an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections.

Capillaria hepatica (syn. for Calodium hepaticum) is a zoonotic nematode parasitizing in the livers of rodents as main hosts and in numerous other mammals including humans. It is the causative agent of the rare conditions of hepatic capillariosis and spurious C. hepatica infections in humans. In this review, 163 reported cases of infestations with this parasite (72 reports of hepatic capillariosis, 13 serologically confirmed infestations and 78 observations of spurious infections) are summarized with an overview on the distribution, symptoms, pathology, diagnosis, serology and therapy of this rare human pathogen.

Giant Red Kidney Worm (Dioctophyma renale) Screening and Treatment Protocol and Aberrant Worm Migration In Dogs From Ontario and Manitoba, Canada.

The life cycle of Dioctophyma renale involves an intermediate host (oligochaete), a paratenic hosts (fish and frogs), and a definitive host (mustelids and canids). Dogs are at risk of infection with D. renale when they consume paratenic hosts infected with the larval form of D. renale. Water containing the oligochaete intermediate host cannot be disregarded as another source of infection. Infections occur mainly in the right kidney, but worms have also been found in the abdominal cavity as well as other organs. Most dogs appear asymptomatic and infections are usually noted as incidental findings on necropsy. Recently, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) and Humane Society conducted transports of dogs located in northern remote communities. In 2016, some female dogs were found to be infected with D. renale upon ovariohysterectomy. In response to this discovery, we developed a screening protocol to screen for D. renale infections. In 2018, a total of 130 intact dogs were transferred from 2 northern communities in the provinces of Ontario and Manitoba. A prevalence of 7.94% (95% confidence interval 3.87-14.11%) was found from dogs from the northern communities. The screening protocol we developed provides a method of screening for dogs that are transported from communities that could be at risk of infection with D. renale.

Capillaria hepatica infestation.

Capillaria hepatica is a very rare zoonotic infestation which primarily infests rodents and is rarely found in humans. The presenting features are fever of unknown origin, hepatomegaly and peripheral eosinophilia. Liver biopsy remains the cornerstone of diagnosis. Treatment of choice is Albendazole and outcome is generally good.

Serious diarrhea with weight loss caused by Capillaria philippinensis acquired in China: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Diarrhea caused by Capillaria philippinensis (C. philippinensis) has not been reported in any areas with the exception of Taiwan province in China. We herein report the misdiagnosis and subsequent management of a patient with diarrhea caused by C. philippinensis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 33-year-old woman from the outskirts of Danzhou city, Hainan province, China, had an 11-month history of chronic diarrhea with abdominal pain, edema, hypoalbuminemia, and severe weight loss. The patient was misdiagnosed at an outpatient clinic and one hospital. She was finally correctly diagnosed with C. philippinensis by stool examination. The patient was given a 30-days course of albendazole (400 mg/day) and had an uneventful and stable recovery. CONCLUSION: Doctors cannot lose sight of patients' dietary histories, must query stool examination results, and need to expand their knowledge of certain nonlocal and global diseases, especially those described in new case reports. Some diagnostic examinations must be performed repeatedly. Hainan province may be the epidemic focus of C. philippinensis.