Abstract

GALLARDO V, Christina et al. Clinical evaluation of Paragonimiosis in cats experimentally infected with Paragonimus mexicanus. Rev. investig. vet. Perú [online]. 2014, vol.25, n.2, pp.254-267. ISSN 1609-9117.

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical signs associated to the experimental infection of Paragonimus mexicanus in cats. Eight cats of 2.5 to 4 months of agewereorallyinfectedwith 7 to20metacercariae. In thephysicalexamination duringthe acute phase was found fever, wet cough, and enlargement of the inguinal lymph node, while in the chronic phase wet cough, positive tracheal reflex and increase of the breath sound. On the complete blood count was found leukocytosis with different degrees of lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia in the acute phase and leukocytosis with an increase of eosinophilia in the chronic phase. On the ultrasonography examination, enlargement of the vesicular wall, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and increase in liver echogenicitywere found, especiallyduring the acute phase. The early radiological findings included bronchiectasis focus, bronchial thickening and increased radiopacity of lung lobes,whilein thechronicphaseradiopaqueovoidstructuresin thepulmonaryparenchyma and bronchiectasis were observed. The period between infection and presence of P. mexicanus eggs in the faeces was between 41 and 71 days. The necropsy confirmed the presence of cysts and parasites in the lungs

Keywords : Paragonimiosis; Paragonimus mexicanus; Paragonimus peruvianus; cat; clinical signs; acute phase; chronic phase.

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