A severe case of hyperinfection by Strongyloides stercoralis in a pet dog from Romania

• Published in: Parasitology international Vol. 100; p. 102849
• Main Authors: Deak, Georgiana, Ionică, Angela Monica, Taulescu, Marian, Negoescu, Andrada, Ifteme, Constantin, Roșoiu, Mădălina, Mihalca, Andrei Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.06.2024
• Subjects: Hyperinfection; Pet dog; Romania; Strongyloides; Hyperinfection; Romania; Strongyloides; Pet dog
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102849

Strongyloides stercoralis is a zoonotic soil-transmitted nematode affecting mainly humans and dogs but identified also in non-human primates, cats and wild carnivores. It has a cosmopolitan distribution being endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. In Romania, the infection was reported on several occasions in dogs with low prevalence (3.5% -3.8%), assessed by coproscopy and it was confirmed in human patients with no travel history. A 2-year-old male Boston Terrier dog presented to a private clinic due to severe digestive problems, in July 2022. The animal had a long history of health problems. The dog was in a very bad clinical condition with severe abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, and weight loss. Coproparasitological examinations using the saline flotation method and the modified Baermann's technique were done, both being negative. In addition, an intestinal biopsy was performed during the second endoscopy. Nematodes were collected and identified morphologically and molecularly confirmed. Histology revealed severe inflammation of the duodenal mucosa with areas of edema, necrosis, and hemorrhage, and in the intestinal glands, there were numerous nematodes suggesting a parasitic infection by Strongyloides spp. PCR followed by sequencing confirmed the infection with S. stercoralis. The dog was treated with a combination of oral fenbendazole and milbemycin oxime for 5 months. No relapse was observed 3 months after negativity was attained. This case describes a severe clinical infection by Strongyloides stercoralis in a domestic dog from Romania and the recovery after long-term treatment. •Strongyloides stercoralis in dogs can produce severe acute infections.•Diagnosis can be achieved by using endocscopy.•Treatment of canine strongyloidosis is changeling.•Combination of benzimidazoles and macrocyclic lactones seems effective when administered long time.