Clinical forms of peritoneal larval cestodiasis by Mesocestoides spp. in dogs: diagnosis, treatment and long term follow-up

Silvia Carta,Agostina Cotza,Antonio Varcasia,Antonio Scala,Giorgia Dessì,Stephane Knoll,Claudia Tamponi,Francesca Nonnis,Laura Tilocca,Andrea Corda

doi:10.1007/s00436-021-07107-w

Abstract

Canine peritoneal larval cestodiasis (CPLC) is a little-known parasitological infestation of the peritoneal cavity of wild and domestic carnivores with Mesocestoides spp. larvae. While adult Mesocestoides tapeworms reside within the small intestine, the larvae occasionally penetrate the host’s intestinal wall, causing a potentially life-threatening peritonitis. Severity of infection as well as the host response influences the prognosis significantly, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential. However, due to the lack of specific symptoms, this condition is underdiagnosed and, furthermore, no clear effective treatment has yet been described. The aim of this study is therefore to report two clinical cases of CPLC in dogs and to illustrate their clinical presentation and follow-up to serve as a reference for clinicians and researchers alike. Both animals were presented with abdominal distention as their main complaint. They underwent clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, abdominocentesis, and laparotomy followed by biochemical, cytological, parasitological, and molecular examination of the collected samples. After surgical lavage, the dogs received anthelmintic treatment with either fenbendazole (FBZ) or praziquantel (PZQ). Overall, timely and prolonged administration of high doses of FBZ seems to be the most effective treatment method. Irrespective, to date, no treatment capable of complete eradication of the infection and prevention of recurrence of disease has been found. In conclusion, further investigation into appropriate treatment plans as well as diagnostic development is needed.

Highlights

Mesocestoides tapeworms belong to the order Cyclophyllidea and have a worldwide occurrence
Seven species have been recorded in Europe where Mesocestoides litteratus and Mesocestoides lineatus have been described as the most widely distributed
In agreement with the findings of Papini et al (2010), this paper shows repeated administration of PZQ to be effective in eliminating peritoneal tetrathyridia when provided before overt clinical signs are present

Summary

Introduction

Mesocestoides tapeworms belong to the order Cyclophyllidea and have a worldwide occurrence. Hrčkova et al 2011; Zaleśny and Hildebrand 2012). This being said, several recent surveys have shown evidence of new genetic variants within this genus, requiring further investigation (Montalbano Di Filippo et al 2018; Varcasia et al 2018; Berrilli and Simbula 2020). Mesocestoides spp. are considered parasites of wild and domestic carnivores these tapeworms have occasionally being reported in birds and humans as well (Wirtherle et al 2007). Mesocestoides spp. are considered zoonotic with at least 26 cases previously reported, in particular in Japan, Korea, China, Ruanda, and Greenland (Fuentes et al 2003; Széll et al 2015). Regardless, many aspects of the biology of these worms still remain unknown and to date, hypothesizing a foodborne origin, no evidence for the route for human infection has been shown (Fuentes et al 2003)

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