Cestode infection in 2 dogs: cytologic findings in liver and a mesenteric lymph node

Abstract

Mesocestoides cestode infections in dogs are well known for causing severe peritonitis with larvae or larval fragments (metacestodes, tetrathyridia, or calcareous corpuscles) frequently observed cytologically in peritoneal fluid samples. This case report describes the cytologic and clinical features of 2 dogs infected with cestode larvae, with one case confirmed and the other presumed to be Mesocestoides sp. In these 2 unusual cases, cestode larvae or larval fragments were found in fine-needle aspirates of the liver and a mesenteric lymph node, but no organisms were found in peritoneal fluid samples. The data presented in this report indicate that clinical pathologists should not rule out Mesocestoides sp cestodiasis based on the absence of larvae in peritoneal fluid samples from dogs.

What is your diagnosis? Fluid aspirated from an abdominal mass in a dog

“…Corpuscles result from cyclic biomineralization, which has been suggested to buffer acids produced by anaerobic metabolism and inflammation . Calcareous corpuscles and parasitic membranes stain for calcium and PAS . Although the abdominal fluid had increased leukocytes, the automated cell count was likely artificially increased by corpuscles being counted as cells.…”

Acute liver failure in dogs and cats

“…However, this technique has several important limitations: the sample size obtained is small and may limit the accuracy of diagnosis, only a small portion of the liver is sampled, the sample may be distorted during fixation, and post‐sample visualization to monitor for hemorrhage is limited . FNA is most useful in a certain subset of hepatic diseases such as hepatic parasite infestations, diffuse neoplasia, and suppurative hepatitis . FNA cytology, however, may not agree with histopathology results …”

Body Cavity Fluids

“…In a small number of dogs with ascites, often from western North America, the etiology is aberrant cestodiasis associated with Mesocestoides infection (Caruso et al, 2003;Crosbie et al, 1998;Patten et al, 2013;Stern et al, 1987). This disease has been termed canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis, or CPLC (Patten et al, 2013).…”

“…Peritoneal aspirates from anorexic, ascitic dogs have the gross appearance of tapioca pudding or cream of wheat ( Fig. Microscopically, the fluid is usually a suppurative exudate (Caruso et al, 2003); however, eosinophilic inflammation has also been described (Patten et al, 2013). Motile cestodes can be seen in fluid with the unaided eye.…”