Ectopic dioctophymosis in a dog – Clinical, diagnostic and pathological challenges of a silent disease

• Published in: Parasitology international 2020-10, Vol.78, p.102136-102136, Article 102136
• Main Authors: Amaral, Camila Barbosa, Santos, Márcia Carolina Salomão, de Andrade, Paulo Sérgio Cruz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil; Dioctophymatoidea - isolation & purification; Dioctophyme renale; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - pathology; Dog Diseases - surgery; Dogs; Ectopic location; Enoplida Infections - diagnosis; Enoplida Infections - pathology; Enoplida Infections - surgery; Enoplida Infections - veterinary; Female; Kidney Diseases - diagnosis; Kidney Diseases - pathology; Kidney Diseases - surgery; Kidney Diseases - veterinary; Stray dog; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2020.102136

A 9-month old, female, stray dog was rescued and conducted to a university veterinary hospital. Moderate anemia was observed and abdominal ultrasound revealed pancreatitis. Right kidney was not visualized due to intestinal gas. Urinalysis was normal. Castration was performed three weeks later. Before discharge, abdominal ultrasound was performed for internal sutures examination. A cyst-like structure was present in the right retroperitoneal space with what appeared to be tubular worms inside it, not observed in previous evaluation. An ectopic dioctophymosis diagnosis was made. Two female Dioctophyme renale were surgically removed from the structure. Right kidney was hyperemic but not removed. No sign of peritonitis was observed. The dog recovered well. Laboratory follow-up showed no abnormalities a year after the episode and Doppler ultrasound revealed a mild right nephropathy. This is the first canine ectopic dioctophymosis case with only an abdominal cyst-like structure containing viable nematodes, successfully treated. It represents the rarity and difficulties in diagnosing ectopic dioctophymosis even in enzootic locations, highlighting the importance of ultrasonographic screening for such silent, potentially zoonotic disease. [Display omitted] •Diagnosis of ectopic dioctophymosis is challenging in dogs.•Dioctophymosis-affected dogs are often asymptomatic.•Ectopic dioctophymosis without renal involvement presents no eggs in urine sediment.•Ultrasound is the best diagnostic tool for ectopic dioctophymosis.•Parasite removal requires surgery.