First Clinical Cases of Spirometrosis in Two Cats in Korea

Kim, Joohyung; Ock, Younsung; Yang, Kihwan; Choe, Seongjun; Park, Kyung-Mee; Lee, Wan-Kyu; Choi, Kyung-Chul; Kim, Soochong; Kwak, Dongmi; Lee, Seung-Hun

Korean J Parasitol. 2021 Apr;59(2):153-157. 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.2.153.

First Clinical Cases of Spirometrosis in Two Cats in Korea

Affiliations

¹Shinsegae Animal Medical Center, Yangsan 50653, Korea
²Myeonggok Station Animal Hospital, Daegu 42956, Korea
³Department of Parasitology, Parasite Research Center and Parasite Resource Bank, School of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
⁴College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
⁵Laboratory of Biochemistry and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea
⁶College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea

KMID: 2515127
DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2021.59.2.153

Abstract

This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.

Keyword

Cat; clinical case; praziquantel; spirometrosis; zoonosis

First Clinical Cases of Spirometrosis in Two Cats in Korea

Abstract

Keyword

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