Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver infection by Calodium parasite in a rescued 6-month-old dog
By de Barros Silva, Victória Luiza et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology, regional studies and reports·2023·Veterinary Hospital, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Case report of hepatic calodiosis in a rescued dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old rescued dog sadly passed away after being treated for a liver infection caused by a parasite called Calodium hepaticum. Despite receiving veterinary care, the dog's condition worsened, leading to significant damage in the liver and spleen. The examination after death showed the presence of the parasite's eggs, which are difficult to detect and diagnose. This case highlights the need for more research on this parasite, especially in areas with diverse wildlife, to better understand its impact on both animal and human health.
People also search for: dog liver infection symptoms · Calodium hepaticum in dogs · rescued puppy health issues
Abstract
Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) is a nematode responsible for parasitic zoonosis that can cause granulomatous lesions in the liver. Although murids are the main hosts, C. hepaticum has been documented in a wide range of mammals. Here, we report a case of hepatic calodiosis in a 6-month-old dog that was rescued in the municipality of Cuiabá, Mato Grosso state, midwestern Brazil. Even after being attended at a Veterinary Hospital, the case resulted in animal death. Necroscopic examination revealed significant macroscopic changes in the spleen, liver, and encephalus. Microscopic examination revealed parasitic eggs, identified as Calodium cf. hepaticum, that were rounded to oval with a bilamellar cuticle, radially striated, and with bipolar plugs. Considering the difficulty to diagnose this parasite, and the existence of diverse possible hosts in Mato Grosso due to the biodiversity of the state, further investigation is required to understand the true prevalence of C. hepaticum and the importance of this nematode in public health.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37935537/