Cystic liver disease linked to Platynosomum parasite in a domestic cat

Abstract

Platinosomosis affects felines and it is caused by a trematode of the genus Platynosomum sp. The parasitized animals can be symptomatic or asymptomatic and the disease can evolve severely, killing the animal. Due to the similarity between clinical signs and changes of platinosomosis and those of other pathologies caused by the parasite and having in mind that the parasite occasionally appears on the stool, the search for trematodes and eggs in material coming from bile aspirate is a more efficient way to diagnose the parasitic disease, what helps to distinguish it from other liver diseases. Thus, the clinical veterinarian is able to perform the treatment correctly. The aim was to report a case of cystic liver disease related to platinosomosis in a domestic feline which has been undergoing treatment of liver disease for over a year. During the clinical evaluation, the animal was apathetic and with hepatomegaly. A complete blood count (CBC) revealed a discreet lymphopenia. The enzymes alkaline phosphatase and alanine transaminase were above the normal range for the species. The parasitological examination of the biliary material indicated eggs from the trematode Platynosomum sp. whereas the histopathology examination of liver masses indicated cystic structures covered by connective tissue and multifocal mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate. In conclusion, liver cysts in felines with chronic liver disease can be associated with cases of diseases caused by the trematode helminths.