Clinical forms of peritoneal larval cestodiasis by Mesocestoides spp. in dogs: diagnosis, treatment and long term follow-up

Abstract

Canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis (CPLC) is a little-known parasitological infestation of the peritoneal cavity of wild and domestic carnivores with Mesocestoides spp. larvae. While adult Mesocestoides tapeworms reside within the small intestine, the larvae occasionally penetrate the host’s intestinal wall, causing a potentially life-threatening peritonitis. Severity of infection as well as the host response influences the prognosis significantly, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential. However, due to the lack of specific symptoms, this condition is underdiagnosed and, furthermore, no clear effective treatment has yet been described. The aim of this study is therefore to report two clinical cases of CPLC in dogs and to illustrate their clinical presentation and follow-up to serve as a reference for clinicians and researchers alike. Both animals were presented with abdominal distention as their main complaint. They underwent clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, abdominocentesis, and laparotomy followed by biochemical, cytological, parasitological, and molecular examination of the collected samples. After surgical lavage, the dogs received anthelmintic treatment with either fenbendazole (FBZ) or praziquantel (PZQ). Overall, timely and prolonged administration of high doses of FBZ seems to be the most effective treatment method. Irrespective, to date, no treatment capable of complete eradication of the infection and prevention of recurrence of disease has been found. In conclusion, further investigation into appropriate treatment plans as well as diagnostic development is needed.

Squamata reptiles as a potential source of helminth infections when preyed on by companion animals

“…infections in dogs can become severe, e.g. with the development of peritoneal larval cestodiasis, where larvae penetrate the host’s intestinal wall and cause potentially life-threatening peritonitis [ 78 ]. Although no human cases of infection with Mesocestoides spp.…”

Atypical Lesions in Canine Leishmaniosis: Description of New Cases

“…Less often, nodular peritonitis has been caused by Mycobacterium microti, Actinomyces spp., or Nocardia spp. [ 35 , 36 ] or associated with larval stages of parasites such as Mesocestoides or Spirometra [ 37 ]. Microscopic and immunohistochemical studies in our case finally revealed granulomatous peritonitis associated with Leishmania and ruled out bacterial, fungal, and some parasitic etiologies.…”

“…As mentioned above, nodular lesions in the peritoneal cavity can be of infectious or non-infectious etiology. Interestingly, carcinomatosis has been confused with Mesocestoides -associated lesions [ 37 ]. Regardless of the origin of the peritoneal nodular lesion, microscopic examination is always recommended [ 38 ].…”