Platynosomum fastosum in an asymptomatic cat in the state of Espírito Santo: first report

Platynosomum fastosum is a parasite that affects cats, and among these, domestic cats, especially those originating from areas with tropical and subtropical climates. It is the most common liver parasite of domestic cats and is usually located in the bile ducts and gall bladder, but may also be found in the small intestine and pancreas. Infection occurs through ingestion of geckos containing metacercariae, causing cholangitis in the bile ducts of domestic cats. The aim of this study was to report the occurrence of P. fastosum after necropsy of an asymptomatic domestic cat, with a history of sudden death, received at the Animal Pathology sector of the Ricardo Alexandre Hippler Veterinary Hospital, Espírito Santo, Brazil. In macroscopic examination adult specimens of P. fastosum were observed inside the visibly dilated bile ducts. The dilatation, the presence of parasites and papillary proliferations into the lumen of the ducts were confirmed by histopathological examination. Then, a cholangiohepatitis associated to P. fastosum infection was classified. This is the first report of the occurrence of P. fastosum in a domestic cat in the state of Espírito Santo

Fungi predatory activity on embryonated Toxocara canis eggs inoculated in domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) and destruction of second stage larvae.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the infectivity of Toxocara canis eggs after interacting with isolated nematophagous fungi of the species Duddingtonia flagrans (AC001) and Pochonia chlamydosporia (VC4), and test the predatory activity of the isolated AC001 on T. canis second stage larvae after 7 days of interaction. In assay A, 5000 embryonated T. canis eggs previously in contact with the AC001 and VC4 isolated for 10 days were inoculated into domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus), and then these animals were necropsied to collect material (digested liver, intestine, muscles and lungs) at 3-, 7-, 14-, and 21-day intervals after inoculation. In assay A, the results demonstrated that the prior interaction of the eggs with isolated AC001 and VC4 decreases the amount of larvae found in the collected organs. Difference (p < 0.01) was observed in the medium larvae counts recovered from liver, lung, intestine, and muscle of animals in the treated groups when compared to the animals in the control group. At the end of assay A, a percentage reduction of 87.1 % (AC001) and 84.5 % (VC4) respectively was recorded. In the result of assay B, the isolated AC001 showed differences (p < 0.01) compared to the control group, with a reduction of 53.4 % in the recovery of L2. Through these results, it is justified to mention that prior interaction of embryonated T. canis eggs with the tested fungal isolates were efficient in reducing the development and migration of this parasite, in addition to the first report of proven predatory activity on L2.