Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Sarcocystis and related infections causing illness in dogs
By Dubey, J P et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2006·United States Department of Agriculture, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum infections in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Basset Hounds was tested for infections caused by parasites like Sarcocystis neurona and Toxoplasma gondii, which can lead to serious health issues. In this case, one adult dog sadly died from toxoplasmosis, while another adult and a puppy were diagnosed with neosporosis, a different parasitic infection. The study also found signs of Sarcocystis neurona in various tissues of some dogs, indicating a potential risk for neurological problems. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring for these infections in dogs, especially in breeding environments.
People also search for: dog parasite infections · Basset Hound toxoplasmosis symptoms · neosporosis treatment in dogs
Abstract
Sarcocystis neurona, Sarcocystis canis, Toxoplasma gondii, and Neospora caninum are related apicomplexans that can cause systemic illness in many species of animals, including dogs. We investigated one breeder's 25 Basset Hounds for these infections. In addition, tissues from dogs and other non-canine hosts previously reported as S. canis infections were studied retrospectively. Schizonts resembling those of S. neurona, and recognized by polyclonal rabbit anti-S. neurona antibodies, were found in six of eight retrospective cases, as well as in two additional dogs (one Basset Hound, one Springer Spaniel) not previously reported. S. neurona schizonts were found in several tissues including the central nervous system, lungs, and kidneys. Fatal toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in an adult dog, and neosporosis was diagnosed in an adult and a pup related to the one diagnosed with S. neurona. No serological reactivity to S. neurona antibodies occurred when S. canis-like liver schizonts were retrospectively assayed from two dogs, a dolphin, a sea lion, a horse, a chinchilla, a black or either of two polar bears. Sequencing conserved (18S) and variable (ITS-1) portions of nuclear ribosomal DNA isolated from the schizont-laden liver of a polar bear distinguished it from all previously characterized species of Sarcocystis. We take this genetic signature as provisionally representative of S. canis, an assumption that should be tested with future sequencing of similar liver infections in other mammalian hosts. These findings further extend the uncharacteristically broad intermediate host range for S. neurona, which also causes a neurologic disease in cats, mink, raccoons, skunks, Pacific harbor seals, ponies, zebras, lynxes, and sea otters. Further work is necessary to delineate the causative agent(s) of other cases of canine sarcocystosis, and in particular to specify the attributes of S. canis, which corresponds morphologically to infections reported from wide range of terrestrial and marine mammals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16458431/