Spirocerca lupi (2)

Question 1

What are the final hosts?

Answer 1

Dogs
Wolves
Coyotes
Foxes
Hyenas 
Jaguars
Lions
Cheetahs

Question 2

What are the intermediate hosts?

Answer 2

Dung beetles

Question 3

What are the Paratenic hosts?

Answer 3

Chickens

Birds

Mice

Lizards

Question 4

Describe adults

Answer 4

Found in nodules in walls of esophagus/stomach

Pink to red

Up to 8 cm

Tail coiled

Nodules up to size of golf balls

Question 5

Describe eggs

Answer 5

Small (30-35 micro m)

Elongated

Thick shelled

Contain L1

Somewhat like a paperclip

Question 6

Explain life cycle

Answer 6

Indirect

Egg with L1 ingested passed in feces/vomitus

Egg consumed by IH

L3 encysts in IH

IH consumed by PH, L3 encyst in PH

FH infected by consuming IH or PH with encysted L3

L3 penetrates stomach wall

Migrates via celiac artery -> thoracic aorta

L3 migrates from thoracic aorta to esophagus 3 months later

Enters wall of esophagus

PPP: 6 months

If granulomas do not have openings into esophageal lumen, eggs will be laid in the ingesta and found in fecal flotation

Question 7

What is the site of infection?

Answer 7

Esophagus

Question 8

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 8

Esophageal granulomas - interfere with swallowing, cause regurgitation
- Sarcoma (esophageal granuloma) has developed around the site
where the nematodes resided in wall of esophagus

Weakness

Emaciation

Rapid loss of condition

Osteosarcomas (formation of bone tumors)

Spondylosis (immobility of a vertebral joint due to disease) of thoracic vertebrae

Osteopathy (bone disease) of long bones

Question 9

How do you diagnose?

Answer 9

See eggs in fecal float
- Sodium nitrate most sensitive as flotation medium

Eggs (30-35 micro m) in feces and vomitus

Endoscopy and radiography

Question 10

What is the common name?

Answer 10

Esophageal worm