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Nodular presentation of Dirofilaria repens infection in a cat mimicking a fibrosarcoma
Author(s) -
Manzocchi Simone,
Lendner Matthias,
Piseddu Eleonora,
Sebastiani Valeria,
Morabito Simona,
Daugschies Arwid,
Pantchev Nikola
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/vcp.12433
Subject(s) - dirofilaria repens , repens , pathology , differential diagnosis , medicine , subcutaneous tissue , dirofilariasis , biology , helminths , dirofilaria immitis , botany , immunology
A cat with multiple subcutaneous nodules suggesting a soft tissue sarcoma by physical and computed tomographic examination was diagnosed as being affected by subcutaneous filariosis based on cytologic and ultrasonographic assessments. Nodules were surgically removed and extracted nematodes were identified by PCR as Dirofilaria repens . Furthermore, DNA of Dipetalonema dracunculoides (syn. Acantocheilonema dracunculoides ) was detected by PCR , with no evidence of circulating microfilariae. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this represents the first report describing adults of D repens in multiple subcutaneous nodules in a cat. Cytopathologic examination allowed characterization of the parasitic nature of the nodules. Veterinary practitioners should be aware of the possible nodular presentation of D repens in cats and should include D repens in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous neoformations in the cat.