Spiroceca lupi infection in dogs in Kenya

Abstract

The prevalence of Spirocerca lupi infection in 346 dogs in Kenya was 78% (85% in 294 native dogs and 38% in 52 pet dogs). S. lupi lesions were distributed as follows: aorta (269 dogs), esophagus (217), thoracic spondylosis (16), stomach (8), lung (6), mediastinum (5), diaphragm (4), and kidney and omentum (1 each). Only one dog with an esophageal granuloma lacked concomitant aortic lesions. Clinical laboratory findings in dogs with and without spirocercosis were not significantly different. Upon fecal examination for S. lupi, eggs were found in 56% (81) of 145 native dogs with esophageal granulomas having a patent opening. One native dog and two pet dogs had osteosarcoma of the esophagus. Metastases of this tumor were observed in all three dogs, two of them had hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, and two had thoracic spondylosis. Fifty-three percent of 241 native dogs had renal calculi. In areas of high S. lupi prevalence, cattle, chickens, dung beetles and dogs were in close association.