First isolation of Dioctophyme renale eggs from an urban environment and identification of those from animal urine

Abstract

Dioctophyme renale is a zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution, although its occurrence is little known. The objective here was to evaluate the presence of parasite eggs in the environment and in the urine of dogs and cats in an urban area. Soil samples and urine were evaluated respectively by means of the Caldwell-Caldwell technique and urinalysis. Out of the 100 soil samples, 3% presented D. renale eggs, and out of the 43 urine samples, 18.6% were positive, including the feline samples. Thus, D. renale eggs are present in the urban environment, and dogs and cats are parasitized by this nematode, which therefore represents a risk to public health.Keywords: Soil, urine, nematode, dog, cat, D. renale. ResumoDioctophyme renale é um parasito zoonótico com distribuição cosmopolita, entretanto sua ocorrência é pouco conhecida. Assim, o objetivo foi avaliar a presença de ovos do parasito no ambiente e na urina de cães e gatos de zona urbana. As amostras de solo e urina foram avaliadas, respectivamente, pela técnica de Caldwell e Caldwell e por urinálise. Das 100 amostras de solo, 3% apresentaram ovos de D. renale, e das 43 amostras de urina, 18,6% foram positivas, incluindo a de felino. Conclui-se que ovos de D. renale estão presentes no ambiente urbano, assim como os caninos e felinos apresentam-se parasitados, representando um risco para a saúde pública.

TÉCNICA PARA IDENTIFICAÇÃO DE OVOS DE Dioctophyme renale EM URINA DE GATOS, EMPREGADA EM SÍLICA

“…Perera et al (3), utilizando a técnica de Caldwell e Caldwell, analisaram amostras ambientais de areia, na região de uma clínica veterinária no município de Pelotas, onde muitos Ferraz A, Pires BS, Evaristo TA, Perera SC, Nizoli LQ, Rapetti JCS. Técnica para identificação de ovos de Dioctophyme renale em urina de gatos, empregada em sílica.…”

“…Os hospedeiros definitivos, seja estes, cães, gatos, animais silvestres ou o homem, eliminam os ovos de D. renale na urina, contaminando o meio ambiente (3). O ciclo possui um período de incubação em meio aquático, onde os ovos são ingeridos pelo hospedeiro intermediário, o anelídeo oligoqueta, e se tornam desta forma infectantes (4).…”

Report of rare case of intense parasitism by 34 specimens of Dioctophyme renale in a dog

“…There have been several cases of animals parasitized by D. renale in the Pelotas region (Rappeti et al, 2017). Eggs of this parasite were found in soil samples from the urban region of the city (Perera et al, 2017a), and third-stage larvae were found in 50% (n = 60) of the specimens of the turtle D'Orbigny's slider (Trachemys dorbigni) that were evaluated (Mascarenhas & Müller, 2015). These surveys show that dioctophymosis is present and disseminated in Pelotas, thus favoring infection with large numbers of worms.…”

Laparoscopic nephron-sparing surgery for the treatment of canine dioctophymosis

“…Although urinalysis is not the only recommended way of diagnosing dioctophymosis, Perera et al [26] observed that 18.6% of urine samples in dogs and cats were infected by the helminth, which highlights the importance of this test for the diagnosis of parasitic infections.…”

“…Moreover, eggs were found in the urine of Patient 2, which occurs when a sexually mature D. renale female is found in the kidney [ 23 ]. Although urinalysis is not the only recommended way of diagnosing dioctophymosis, Perera et al [ 26 ] observed that 18.6% of urine samples in dogs and cats were infected by the helminth, which highlights the importance of this test for the diagnosis of parasitic infections.…”