engleski

CANINE OCULAR DIROFILARIASIS-A CASE REPORT

Dirofilaria repens is highly prevalent in Croatian dogs. Infection is asymptomatic but dermatitis could appear. Eye lesions so far have not been described. Ophthalmological examination of the left eye in four years old, mixed breed, male dog from Vukovar revealed single nonpruritic nodule. Located episclerally, close to limbus, pink tumor of elastic consistency and botryoidal surface, measured 8 mm in diameter. Complete excisional biopsy and tissue formalin fixation were performed. On the tumor cut surface irregular pseudo cyst wall covering coiled white nematode was found. Tissue was processed for routine histopathology and few nematode segments 2 mm in diameter were microscopically identified as immature female Dirofilaria sp. according to outer cuticular longitudinal ridges and lack of microfilaria. Dirofilaria repens was confirmed based on morphology of anterior part and longitudinal stripes. Histology showed concentric 3 mm thick outer layer of collagenous wall. Inner layer consisted of loosely arranged collagenous fibers, network of capillaries and fibroblasts surrounded by macrophages, eosinophils, neutrophils and plasma cells. Eosinophilic proteinaceous fluid filled the pseudo cyst space and surrounded fragments of coiled nematode. On transversal sections of fragments evenly spaced cuticular ridges were present over pronounced muscular layer, lateral chords and segments of digestive and immature reproductive system. This findings confirmed dirofilariasis as a cause of granulomatous episcleritis. Clinical, hematological, biochemical, radiological as well as cardiac sonographic and modified Knott’s tests excluded presence of other adult nematodes, microfilaria or lesions consistent with canine dirofilariasis, respectively. In cases of nodular ocular lesions except neoplasms, Dirofilaria repens has to be considered as possible etiology in Croatian dogs. In this unusual case immature adult caused chronic inflammation, despite the lack of microfilaria previously described as cause of strong inflammatory response in ocular lesions.

ocular dirofilariasis ; dog ; Dirofilaria repens ; immature adult ; granulomatous inflammation ; diagnostics

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