Lagoquilascariasis in domestic cat (Felis catus domesticus) - case report

Abstract

Lagoquilascariasis is a zoonotic disease caused by a nematode parasite of the genus Lagochilascaris (Family Ascarididae), with the ingestion of contaminated rodents being the main source of infection. The main clinical signs are dysphagia and the presence of ulcerated nodules in the cervical region. The objective was to describe a case of lagaroquilascariasis in a domestic cat, in the city of Caxias do Sul / RS. A young adult male feline, without defined breed presented lethargy, dehydration, bilateral fistulas in the oropharynx cavity, right eyeball with exophthalmos, corneal opacity, third eyelid prolapse and periocular ulcerated skin lesion in the upper medial region. The diagnosis was made through the visualization and microscopic identification of the parasite Lagochilascaris minor and coproparasitological examination with the presence of eggs. Treatment was based on the use of doramectin and sanitary measures. According to the current literature, there are few reports of lagoquilascariasis in felines with clinical presentation similar to this case, since the most common is the formation of an abscess in the neck region. Morover, it is the first case described in the municipality, thus contributing to the epidemiology of the disease.

Lagoquilascariasis in Domestic Feline in Southern Brazil, Case Report

“…The first one related in Brazil was described by Artigas et al (1968) in the state of São Paulo. Besides that there are other cases described in Rio Grande do Sul (FACCIO et al, 2013;FERRAZ et al, 2021;FLECKE et al, 2022;LUCIO;FLORES, 2021;REIS et al, 2011) and Rio de Janeiro (AMATO; GRISI; PIMENTEL NETO, 1990;SUDRÈ et al, 2012).…”

“…The felines, the mainly definitive host, are infected by ingesting the third-stage larvae (L3) of Lagochilascaris spp., encysted in the intermediate host (PAÇÔ and CAMPOS, 1999;FLECKE, et al, 2022). The larvae migrate and can damage the esophagus, pharynx, trachea, cervical lymph nodes and central nervous system (BARBOSA; BARBOSA; CAMPOS, 2005).…”

“…Thus, they lead to progressive granulomatous inflammation, with the development of nodules or abscesses interconnected by fistulous pathways, in which there is intermittent elimination of different stages of the parasite, such as eggs, larvae and adult helminths (SEMERENE et al, 2004). Therefore these characteristics contribute to the occurrence of the autoinfection, resulting in a chronic illness (CAMPOS et al, 2017;FLECKE, et al, 2022). The clinical manifestations and the magnitude of Lagochilascariasis depending on factors as: affected organ, degree of tissue invasion, parasite load, in addition to host immune response (CAMPOS; BARBOSA, 2016).…”