RESUMO
Platynosomum fastosum is a hepatic trematode which causes the so-called lizard poisoning in cats. This parasite is reported in tropical and sub-tropical areas infecting the liver, gallbladder, and bile ducts of cats. Despite its clinical importance, the diagnosis of P. fastosum has been poorly investigated so far. In this study, three cases of infection by P. fastosum in cats are reported. The FLOTAC technique was utilized for the first time in the detection of eggs of this parasite. Three cats (two males and one female), being one of them with a history of diarrhea and vomiting, were diagnosed positive for the presence of P. fastosum eggs through the FLOTAC technique. In conclusion, this study provides important and new insights into the diagnosis of P. fastosum in cats, expanding the geographical knowledge of this parasite in Brazil.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Hepatopatias/veterinária , Trematódeos/classificação , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Animais , Ductos Biliares , Brasil , Gatos , Diarreia , Dicrocoeliidae , Feminino , Vesícula Biliar , Fígado/parasitologia , Hepatopatias/diagnóstico , Hepatopatias/parasitologia , Masculino , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/parasitologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Diagnosis of Platynosomum fastosum Kossack 1910, a liver fluke of cats, can be challenging, with infections potentially not identified depending on the fecal analysis method used. The aim of this study was to compare three methods for identification of P fastosum eggs in feces. METHODS: Feces from 50 cats with unknown infection status from a location endemic for P fastosum were analyzed. The methods used included double centrifugation with Sheather's sugar flotation solution (specific gravity 1.28); the Mini-Parasep (Apacor) flotation kit with ZnSO4 (specific gravity 1.20); and the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit with Triton X/ethyl acetate solution. RESULTS: Thirty-four cats were identified as positive for P fastosum. Of these cats, 33 were identified with the double centrifugation method, 16 with the Mini-Parasep flotation kit and 11 with the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit. Using the total number of samples identified as positive by at least one method as the true positive, the sensitivity of the methods was 97.1% for double centrifugation, 47.1% for the Mini-Parasep flotation kit and 32.4% for the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit. Other parasite eggs (eg, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Trichuris species and Toxocara cati) also were detected more frequently with the double centrifugation method. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Of the three methods tested, double centrifugation with Sheather's sugar flotation solution was the most effective in identifying cats with P fastosum and other helminth eggs in their feces. The lower specific gravity of the flotation solution in the Mini-Parasep flotation kit likely influenced the results. A primary drawback of the Mini-Parasep sedimentation kit was the amount of sediment. While more sediment was examined than recommended in the manufacturer's instructions, this was still only a small portion of the total sediment. In addition, reading the slides took longer than with the other methods.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico , Dicrocoeliidae/isolamento & purificação , Fezes/parasitologia , Parasitologia/métodos , Infecções por Trematódeos , Animais , Gatos , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterináriaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Examination of bile could be useful to diagnose Platynosomum spp.-induced cholangitis in cats. Obtaining bile via percutaneous ultrasound-guided cholecystocentesis (PUC) is possible but raises safety concerns in cats with severe cholecystitis. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the use of PUC to collect bile samples from cats with known platynosomosis and to determine if bile analysis could be a diagnostic test. ANIMALS: Twenty-seven free-roaming cats positive for Platynosomum spp. eggs via fecal examination. METHODS: In this prospective study, fecal egg counts were performed by double centrifugation with Sheather's solution. Bile was collected using PUC from anesthetized cats. Egg counts in bile were performed with a stereoscope. Euthanasia and postmortem examination were performed immediately after PUC. RESULTS: All cats had ultrasound (US) evidence of cholangitis or cholecystitis. Thirty-nine PUCs were performed with 14 cats having 2 PUCs 12 or 24 days apart. Postmortem examinations showed no overt gallbladder damage or leakage but fresh blood was noted in the gallbladder lumen of 3 cats. Median Platynosomum spp. egg counts were higher in bile (1450 eggs/mL; IQR, 400; 5138 eggs/mL) as compared to feces (46 eggs/mL; IQR, 10; 107 eggs/mL) (P < .001). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Bile egg count analysis is an alternative method with higher egg counts as compared to fecal egg count analysis for the diagnosis of platynosomosis. Obtaining bile via US guidance is technically feasible and safe in cats with cholangitis/cholecystitis. Cholecystocentesis and bile analysis are especially relevant for those cats with chronic cholangitis/cholecystitis and negative fecal egg counts for Platynosomum.
Assuntos
Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Colangite/veterinária , Trematódeos/isolamento & purificação , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Animais , Bile/parasitologia , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos do Sistema Biliar/efeitos adversos , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos do Sistema Biliar/veterinária , Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico por imagem , Gatos , Colangite/diagnóstico , Colangite/parasitologia , Fezes/parasitologia , Contagem de Ovos de Parasitas/veterinária , Estudos Prospectivos , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/parasitologia , Ultrassonografia/veterináriaAssuntos
Bile/parasitologia , Doenças do Gato/diagnóstico , Dicrocoeliidae/citologia , Infecções por Trematódeos/veterinária , Animais , Doenças do Gato/parasitologia , Gatos , Dicrocoeliidae/isolamento & purificação , Feminino , Inflamação/veterinária , Lagartos , Óvulo/parasitologia , Infecções por Trematódeos/diagnóstico , Infecções por Trematódeos/parasitologiaRESUMO
Platynosomum fastosum is a small hepatic trematode found in the biliary ducts and gall bladder of cats and other mammals. It is commonly found in tropical and subtropical regions. Some aspect of the life cycle of this parasite is not fully understood, however terrestrial snails, lizards and isopods are implicated as intermediate/paratenic hosts. The disease caused by P. fastosum is platynosomiais (named after the parasite) or 'lizard poisoning' since it is assumed that affected cats acquire the parasite by eating infected lizards. The clinical signs due to infection with P. fastosum may range from asymptomatic to progressive disease and at times death due to biliary tract obstruction and hepatic failure. Infection with this parasite should, therefore, be included in the differential diagnosis of cats with signs of hepatic diseases.