First case of peritoneal cystic echinococcosis in a domestic cat caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotype 1) associated to feline immunodeficiency virus infection

Parasitol Int. 2014 Apr;63(2):300-2. doi: 10.1016/j.parint.2013.11.005. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Abstract

A new cystic echinococcosis case in a cat in Uruguay is reported herein. The cat was taken to a veterinary clinic in Rocha city, Uruguay, due to dyspnea, constipation and abdominal enlargement. During surgery a large quantity of cysts was retrieved from the abdominal cavity. The cysts were morphologically studied and confirmed as Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto (genotype 1) by molecular tools using cytochrome oxidase submit 1 and small subunit ribosomal RNA gene as target genes. Moreover, for the first time a coinfection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was detected. FIV-induced immunosuppression could be a determining factor in the development of cystic echinococcosis in cats.

Keywords: Domestic cat; Echinococcus granulosus; Feline immunodeficiency virus; Hydatid cyst.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cat Diseases / parasitology*
  • Cat Diseases / virology
  • Cats
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / complications
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / parasitology
  • Echinococcosis, Hepatic / veterinary*
  • Echinococcus granulosus / genetics*
  • Echinococcus granulosus / isolation & purification
  • Genotype
  • Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline*
  • Lentivirus Infections / complications
  • Lentivirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Lentivirus Infections / virology
  • Male