Large-group infection of boar-hunting dogs with Paragonimus westermani in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, with special reference to a case of sudden death due to bilateral pneumothorax.

Abstract

We recently found a group of 5 boar-hunting dogs infected with Paragonimus westermani. As wild boars are known to be the potential paratenic hosts for this parasite, boar-hunting dogs have obviously a high risk of infection by this parasite. In the present study, therefore, we investigated 20 dogs of another group kept by a hunter in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan, in order to determine whether paragonimosis is a common problem among boar-hunting dogs. The results showed that P. westermani eggs were present in the feces of 10 out of 20 dogs, while 17 dogs were seropositive on ELISA. Taken together with our previous results, it appears that paragonimosis is a serious problem in boar-hunting dogs. The possible risks of infected dogs acting as a source for maintaining the P. westermani life cycle are also discussed.