No abstract

Nodular worms (Oesophagostomum spp.) are common intestinal parasites found in cattle, pig, and primates including humans. In human, they are responsible for serious clinical disease called oesophagostomosis resulting from the formation of granulomas, caseous lesions or abscesses in intestinal walls. In wild great apes, the fecal prevalence of this parasite is high, but little information is available concerning the clinical signs and lesions associated. In the present study, we describe six cases of multinodular oesophagostomosis in free-ranging and ex-captive chimpanzees and captive gorillas caused by Oesophagostomum stephanostomum. While severe clinical signs associated with this infection were observed in great apes raised in sanctuaries, nodules found in wild chimpanzees do not seem to affect their health status. One hypothesis to explain this difference would be that in wild chimpanzees, access to natural environment and behavior such as rough leaves swallowing combined with ingestion of plants having pharmacological properties would prevent severe infection and decrease potential symptoms.

We report a case of fatal systemic mycosis in a 9-year-old cat. Diagnosis of phaeohyphomycosis was made by histology. Morphological and molecular identification of the fungus isolated from the lesions yielded the species Cladophialophora bantiana. This species is well known to be a neurotropic fungus causing cerebral pyogranulomatous lesions in humans. In this case, the lesions were widespread, distributed without the involvement of central nervous system. The origin of systemic manifestation is still unknown and no evidence of immunosuppression was found. It is the first feline case of C. bantiana infection reported in Europe.

A case of peritoneal sclerosing mesothelioma in a 3-year-old German shepherd dog is reported. The dog presented a severe abdominal distension. Cytological examination of the peritoneal fluid revealed anaplastic epithelioid cells. Necropsy findings revealed an irregular-shaped mass attached to the pancreas and stomach with numerous nodules covering the intestinal and urinary bladder serosa. The diagnosis was made by histology and immunohistochemistry, with cytokeratin, vimentin and calretinin antibodies. Differential diagnosis with chronic peritonitis and spreading of abdominal primary carcinoma is discussed.

No abstract