Urinary bladder worm (Pearsonema sp.) infection in domestic dogs and cats in Mexico at a high altitude

Unusual parasitoses in urban dogs: Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis, cases report

Parasitic diseases caused by uncommonly diagnosed parasites may pose a threat to companion animals' health in urban environments where they are least expected. The pentastomid Linguatula serrata (tongue worm) and the capillarid Pearsonema plica (syn. Capillaria plica) are parasites with an indirect life cycle, infecting both domestic and wild carnivores. The present report describes two cases: the first one of urinary capillariosis and the other of linguatulosis, in two dogs living in the urban environment of Athens, Greece. In the case of capillariosis, the dog never lived out of the city, so it was presumably infected in the urban environment. On the contrary, in the case of linguatulosis, the dog was adopted at a young age from a rural environment but remained asymptomatic for several months while living in the city. Both dogs had mild symptoms, compatible with these infections. Urinary capillariosis and linguatulosis are uncommon in owned, pet dogs, living in cities due to epizootiological characteristics, i.e. need for wildlife reservoir for P. plica and consumption of raw infected viscera for L. serrata. Different factors contribute to the fact that such infections may occur in scenarios where they are least expected. Recent studies show a progressive worldwide increase in the number of uncommon parasitoses in pet animals, that in some cases, such as linguatulosis, are of zoonotic relevance. Regular parasitological examinations and preventive antiparasitic schemes are necessary in order to treat and prevent infections in pet animals and safeguard the health of both animals and humans under the concept of One Health.

An unexpected cause of dysuria in a cat in Poland

Background

Urinary tract infestation by Capillaria spp. in domestic cats is rather rare, but can cause clinical symptoms and affect behaviour. To our knowledge, this report is the first to describe a case of urinary capillariosis in a cat in Poland.

Case presentation

A female formerly stray cat aged about 1.5 years showing dysuria, stranguria, periuria and lethargy was presented at the veterinary clinic. Urinalysis revealed the presence of Capillaria plica eggs in the sediment. The cat was treated successfully with three topical doses of Broadline (Merial, Toulouse, France).

Conclusions

C. plica is a nematode whose definitive hosts are carnivores, which are infected by eating earthworms (the intermediate hosts). Thus, C. plica infestation is more frequent in wild carnivores and dogs, and rare in cats. Symptomatic bladder capillariosis in cats is very rarely diagnosed and described.

Functional analyses and single cell immunoprofiling uncover sex-specific differences in SARS-CoV2 immune memory development

SARS-CoV-2 infection leads to a broad range of outcomes and immune responses, with the development of neutralizing antibodies generally correlated with protection against reinfection. Here, we have characterized both neutralizing activity and T cell responses in a cluster of subjects with mild disease linked to a single spreading event. Surprisingly, we observed sex-specific associations between spike- and particularly nucleoprotein-specific T cell responses and neutralization, with pro-inflammatory cytokines being linked to higher titers only in males. Using single cell immunoprofiling, which provided matched transcriptome and T-cell receptor (TCR) profiles in restimulated CD4 + and CD8 + cells from these subjects, we identified differences in type I IFN signaling that may underlie this difference in antibody generation. Finally, we also identified several TCRs associated with cytokine producing T cells. Altogether, our work maps the breadth of immunological outcomes of SARS-CoV2 infections and highlight the potential role of sex-specific feedback loops during the generation of neutralizing antibodies.

Pathology of Urinary Bladder in Pearsonema spp. Infected Wildlife from Central Italy

The genus Pearsonema, in the nematode family Capillariidae, includes several species that parasitize the urinary bladders of wild and domestic carnivores. The infection has been reported worldwide from several wildlife species, including canids, mustelids, and felids, but the pathological aspects have seldom been investigated. In order to assess the presence and severity of the lesions in Pearsonema-infected wildlife, we performed a parasitological and pathological examination of urinary bladders from 72 animals, belonging to the families Canidae (red fox Vulpes vulpes, n = 28, and wolf Canis lupus, n = 29) and Mustelidae (beech marten Martes foina, n = 3; pine marten Martes martes, n = 2; and European badger Meles meles, n = 10). A greater prevalence of infection for canids (64.91%; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 52.52–77.30%) than for mustelids (13.33%) (p < 0.001) was recorded. The prevalence of infection in red foxes was 75.0% (95% CI, 58.96–91.04%), in accordance with other reports from European countries, supporting the role of this species as a reservoir for infection. Eosinophilic cystitis was observed in 34 out of the 72 examined animals (47.22%). The influence of Pearsonema sp. infection on the occurrence of eosinophilic cystitis was statistically significant in wolves (p < 0.01), which were also affected by more severe histological lesions compared to foxes.

A case of Pearsonema eggs in the urine sediment of a cat in Trinidad

Nematodes of the urinary tract of domestic dogs and cats are a rare occurrence. The discovery of the eggs on urine sediment examination is usually an incidental finding. A twenty-one month old intact queen presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital with a history of a serosanguinous vaginal discharge and reddish colour urine for the last ten days. Complete blood count and biochemistry analysis revealed an inflammatory leukogram and a hyperproteinaemia. A urogenital tract infection was diagnosed as haematuria, pyuria, bacteriuria, proteinuria and alkaline urine were evident on urinalysis examination. Microscopic examination of the urine sediment also detected eggs with asymmetrical bipolar plugs characteristic for Pearsonema species. A distended uterus as well as a raised lesion in the mucosal layer of the urinary bladder were observed with ultrasonography. A routine ovariohysterectomy was performed. The cat was also treated with ivermectin and amoxicillin. The cat improved with the eventual resolution of the red colour urine and serosanguinous vaginal discharge.

Pearsonema spp. (Family Capillariidae, Order Enoplida) Infection in Domestic Carnivores in Central-Northern Italy and in a Red Fox Population from Central Italy

Simple Summary

Pearsonema spp. nematodes live in the urinary bladder and sometimes in the ureters and renal pelvis of domestic and wild carnivores, in which they may be responsible for urinary capillariosis. While the red fox is considered a reservoir of Pearsonema plica, the occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic carnivores is still poorly known. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in privately owned cats and dogs from central (Tuscany) and northern Italy (Piedmont and Lombardy) alongside its occurrence in a red fox population from central Italy (Tuscany). Among the examined animals, 2/26 cats (7.7%), 1/83 dogs (1.2%), and 38/42 foxes (90.5%) were found positive. Recurrent cystitis, pollakiuria, and hematuria were the main clinical signs in symptomatic dogs and cats. This is the first study on Pearsonema spp. infection of domestic carnivores examining a large number of privately owned pet animals. Obtained results confirm the role of the red fox as a reservoir for P. plica in Europe and suggest a possible high occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic cats of central Italy.

Abstract

Pearsonema spp. nematodes infect the urinary bladder of domestic and wild carnivores. The red fox is considered a reservoir of Pearsonema plica, while the prevalence of Pearsonema spp. in domestic carnivores is still poorly known. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in privately owned cats (26) and dogs (83) from central and northern Italy alongside occurrence in red foxes (42) from central Italy. In positive dogs and cats, associated clinical signs were also evaluated. Urine samples were first examined under a stereomicroscope; then, they were centrifuged and microscopically examined after a flotation test. As for foxes, the urinary bladders were opened and urine was collected and processed as above, while collected nematodes were identified at the species level. Among examined animals, 2/26 cats (7.7%), 1/83 dogs (1.2%), and 38/42 foxes (90.5%) scored positive. Recurrent cystitis, pollakiuria, and hematuria were the main clinical signs in symptomatic dogs and cats. This is the first study on Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic carnivores examining a large number of privately owned pet animals. Obtained results confirm the role of the red fox as a reservoir for P. plica and suggest a possible high occurrence of Pearsonema spp. infection in domestic cats of central Italy.

First Documented Cases of Pearsonema Plica (syn. Capillaria Plica) Infections in Dogs from Western Slovakia

Three clinical cases of dogs with Pearsonema plica infection were detected in the western part of Slovakia. All cases were detected within five months. Infections were confirmed after positive findings of capillarid eggs in the urine sediment in following breeds. The eight years old Jack Russell Terrier, one year old Italian Greyhound, and eleven years old Yorkshire terrier were examined and treated. In one case, the infection was found accidentally in clinically healthy dog. Two other patients had nonspecific clinical signs such as apathy, inappetence, vomiting, polydipsia and frequent urination. This paper describes three individual cases, including the case history, clinical signs, examinations, and therapies. All data were obtained by attending veterinarian as well as by dog owners.