Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Liver damage and enzyme changes in cats with platynosomiasis
By Dirceu Guilherme de Souza Ramos et al.·Published in Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Feline platynosomiasis: analysis of the association of infection levels with pathological and biochemical findings
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of stray cats was found to have a liver infection caused by a parasite called Platynosomum fastosum, also known as 'lizard poisoning.' About 38% of the cats were infected, and those with the parasite showed higher levels of a liver enzyme called alanine transaminase (ALT), indicating liver damage. The severity of liver injuries varied, but interestingly, the number of parasites didn't always match the level of damage seen in the liver. This study highlights the importance of considering this infection when diagnosing liver issues in cats, even if they don't show obvious symptoms.
People also search for: cat liver disease symptoms · lizard poisoning in cats · feline platynosomiasis treatment
Abstract
Abstract Platynosomiasis is a common feline hepatic disease caused by Platynosomum fastosum (Trematoda - Dicrocoelidae), which is also known as ‘lizard poisoning’. Most reports of feline platynosomiasis show that this disease is sporadic and manifests with uncommon lesions; its pathogenicity is still not well understood. This study aimed to describe liver injuries and enzymatic changes associated with natural P. fastosum infection in 47 stray cats in an endemic area. Overall, 38.3% (18/47) of cats were parasitized, and 2,358 flukes (P. fastosum) were collected (131 – mean intensity of parasitism; 50.2 – mean abundance). The alanine transaminase (ALT) measure was significantly higher in parasitized animals, while alkaline phosphatase (ALP) showed no statistical difference between parasitized and non-parasitized animals. In infected animals, gross pathological lesions and microscopic liver injuries ranged from mild to severe, and were similar to those in previous descriptions of feline platynosomiasis. Nonetheless, the intensity of parasitism was not related to the severity of macroscopic or microscopic hepatic injuries. However, feline platynosomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of feline liver disorders, as well as, in any program of helminth control, even if no clinical abnormalities are present.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1590/s1984-29612017009