Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with abdominal cysts from Echinococcus infection in Italy
By Bonelli, Piero et al.·Published in Parasite (Paris, France)·2018·OIE Reference Laboratory for Echinococcosis, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cystic echinococcosis in a domestic cat (Felis catus) in Italy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 3-year-old female cat in Italy was brought to the vet because her belly was swollen. An ultrasound revealed multiple fluid-filled sacs in her abdomen, which were later confirmed to be cysts caused by a parasite called Echinococcus granulosus. This type of infection, known as cystic echinococcosis, is rare in cats but can occur when they accidentally ingest the parasite's eggs. The vet successfully removed the cysts through surgery, and this case marks the first report of this condition in domestic cats in Italy.
People also search for: cat swollen belly · cystic echinococcosis in cats · cat surgery for cysts · Echinococcus granulosus in pets
Abstract
Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a zoonotic agent with a life cycle consisting of definitive hosts (dogs and wild carnivores), and intermediate hosts (usually ungulates). Other animals and humans may accidentally ingest eggs and contract cystic echinococcosis, acting as aberrant hosts. A 3-year-old neutered female cat was brought to a veterinary practice in Sassari (Italy) with abdominal distension. Ultrasound showed multiple intraperitoneal vesicles, which on laparotomy were found to be metacestodes of E. granulosus. Videos of the extraction of cysts are provided. Phylogenetic analysis based on a fragment of the cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) mitochondrial gene identified the isolate as E. granulosus sensu stricto genotype G1, the most common genotype circulating in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. This is the first case report of cystic echinococcosis in domestic cats from Italy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29727269/