Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice Flashcards
1
Q
Schistosomiasis in the United States - Cook 2022
A
- Heterobilharzia americana (trematode parasite) in Gulf coast and southern Atlantic states
- Primary vertebrate host (ex. raccoon) -> eggs in feces wash into water -> miracidium enters secondary invertebrate host (snail - Galba cubensis) -> free swimming cercariae penetrate skin -> lungs then hepatic vessels + mesenteric veins -> eggs penetrate intestines (10 weeks)
- Granulomatous enteropathy and/or hepatopathy with mineralization and fibrosis (can aberrantly migrate through other organs)
- Hypercalcemia (6.7% in recent study) due to granulomatous inflammation (macrophages release calcitriol); 2 dogs in recent study had elevated PTHrp
- Fecal PCR, mineralization on imaging > fecal sediment, histopathology
- Praziquantel @ 25-30 mg/kg q8h x 8 doses (opens voltage-gated calcium channels) + fenbendazole @ 50 mg/kg PO q24h x 7 days (inhibits B-tubulin)
- Retest via PCR within ~ 60 days (reinfection, failure to kill immature worms); test and treat all housemates
