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First description of peritoneal and pleural metacestodosis caused by Mesocestoides vogae in a European wild cat (Felis silvestris silvestris)

  • Helminthology - Short Communication
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Abstract

Tapeworms of the genus Mesocestoides (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Mesocestoididae) are still enigmatic to scientists, due to their high morphological variability, low host specificity, and unknown details of their life cycle. They are found worldwide, with carnivorous mammals as the main definitive hosts, and the disease is potentially zoonotic. After ingestion by a definitive host, the tetrathyridium can occasionally migrate through the intestinal wall and reach the peritoneal cavity or abdominal organs causing peritoneal metacestodosis. Here, we report on a case of metacestodosis of a European wild cat (Felis silvestris silvestris) found dead in Croatia. At necropsy, a large number of white, rice-like structures were found free in the abdominal and thoracic cavities, as well as along the serous surfaces and in the lungs. DNA isolated from the nodules was genotyped and based on a 320-base pair long 12S fragment classified as Mesocestoides vogae. Although post-mortem changes were advanced, severe emaciation due to the severe parasitic infection and gastrointestinal bleeding was diagnosed as the likely cause of death. Intestinal cestodosis was previously reported in wild cats, but according to our knowledge, this is the first description of peritoneal and pleural metacestodosis caused by M. vogae tetrathyridia (metacestodes) in any wild carnivore species.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Heinzelova 55, Zagreb, Croatia

    Magda Sindičić, Andrea Gudan Kurilj, Franjo Martinković, Miljenko Bujanić, Maja Lukač & Dean Konjević

  2. Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Werftstr. 6, 25761, Büsum, Germany

    Anja Reckendorf & Stephanie Gross

  3. Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany

    Anja Reckendorf

  4. Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London, NW1 4RY, UK

    Helle Bernstorf Hydeskov

  5. Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, AL9 7TA, UK

    Helle Bernstorf Hydeskov

  6. Centre for Fish and Wildlife Health, Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Laenggassstrasse 122, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano

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  1. Magda Sindičić
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  2. Andrea Gudan Kurilj
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  4. Miljenko Bujanić
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  5. Maja Lukač
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  7. Helle Bernstorf Hydeskov
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  8. Simone Roberto Rolando Pisano
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  9. Stephanie Gross
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  10. Dean Konjević
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Contributions

MS carried out parasite PCR diagnostics and drafted the manuscript; AGK and DK performed the necropsy; FM carried out parasite morphological diagnostics; MB, ML, AR, HBH, SRRP, and SG assisted during necropsy; all authors contributed to the final version of manuscript.

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Correspondence to Maja Lukač.

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Committee of Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb approved the research.

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The authors declare no competing interest.

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Section Editor: David Bruce Conn

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Sindičić, M., Kurilj, A.G., Martinković, F. et al. First description of peritoneal and pleural metacestodosis caused by Mesocestoides vogae in a European wild cat (Felis silvestris silvestris). Parasitol Res 120, 2275–2279 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07141-8

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