Toxascaris leonina (2) Flashcards
What are the hosts?
Dogs and cats
Describe adults
6-12 cm
Male tail has no finger-like appendage
Describe eggs
Oval
Smooth thick shell
No external proteinacious layer
Must be able to differentiate eggs from T. canis
Not as dark as T. canis
How do you differentiate from other species?
Alae different (T. cati)
Female worms - cut open, ID eggs
Cut cuticle: ventriculus, intercalated between esophagus and intestines
for Toxocara spp.
Describe the life cycle
Per os
Paratenic hosts
Eggs in feces
Egg with L2 ingested by dog/cats or Egg with L2 ingested by PH/PH ingested by dog/cat
L2 released develops to L3, travels to small intestine
L3 -> L4 -> L5 -> Adult -> Egg in feces
PPP: 11 weeks
Eggs develop to infective stage in 1 week
Common in cooler climate
What is the site of infection?
Small intestine
Describe the Pathogenesis
Coinfection with Toxocara spp.
Migrates locally, no pneumonia
Dog not highly infective to a cat
Does not normally damage tissues
Adults provoke little reaction in intestine
Non-pathogenic
Develop some immunity - not strong
How do you diagnose?
Eggs in fecal flotation
Adults at necropsy, in feces/vomit
What is the common name?
Roundworms
