| dc.description.abstract | SUMMARY
Background: In the last few decades, the Angiostrongylus vasorum infection
seemed to spread from established hot-spots to previously non-infected areas
within the red fox, and even within the domestic dog. In Hungary the presence of
this cardiopulmonary parasite of canids is well known in the red fox and also in dog.
Material and Methods: During the dissection of a 6 month-old puppy, originat ing from the Drava Plain, Angiostrongylus vasorum infection was detected at the
Kaposvár Laboratory of Veterinary Diagnostic Directorate. Incurable, severe respira tory symptoms were described as anamnesis. At the laboratory, comprehensive
post-mortem examination, histopathological investigation of macroscopic lesions,
morphological analysis and molecular identification of intravasal parasites were
carried out. Furthermore, the faecal sample derived from the rectum was analysed
by modified McMaster faecal flotation method in order to determine the shed eggs
of gastrointestinal helminths.
Results and Discussion: During the necropsy, a considerable amount of A. vaso rum were observed in the right ventricle of the heart and in pulmonary arteries. The
species identification of the helminths was verified by morphological and molecular
diagnostic analysis. The histopathological examination revealed the presence of
larvae in the tissue of the lungs, central nervous system and the myocardium. The
analysis of faecal sample confirmed the presence of further nematodes (Ancylosto matidae, Trichuris spp., Capillaria spp.). The dog was born and lived in the southwest ern region of Hungary, thus the infection could be considered as autochthonous.
This case draws attention to the possible presence of French heartworm that may
be in the background of incurable respiratory symptoms of dogs in Hungary. More over, the results of this study support the previous hypothesis that this parasite
became endemic in the southwestern region of Hungary. | en_US |
