Why Use the Mini-FLOTAC to Detect Metastrongyloid Larvae in Dogs and Cats?

PURPOSE: Canine and feline cardiopulmonary disease is an emergent condition in several European countries, particularly in non-endemic regions, although it is often underestimated because of the limitations of the common diagnostic techniques. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of Mini-FLOTAC to detect cardiopulmonary larvae from dogs and cats compared to reference techniques such as Baermann and FLOTAC. METHODS: A total of 20 fresh faecal samples were collected from ten dogs and ten cats naturally infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum, and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp., respectively. Three replicates were performed for each technique. FS3 (zinc sulfate, specific gravity = 1.200) was used as flotation solution for Mini-FLOTAC and FLOTAC. The results were expressed as the arithmetic mean of LPG (larvae per gram of faeces). RESULTS: The mean LPG calculated by means of Mini-FLOTAC was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that obtained through the Baermann technique for A. vasorum, A. abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp., whereas it was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that obtained through the FLOTAC technique only for A. vasorum and A. abstrusus. CONCLUSIONS: Mini-FLOTAC can be considered a valid alternative for the detection of metastrongyloid larvae of dogs and cats, overcoming the limitation of time required by the Baermann test.

Echocardiographic findings in a goat with cor pulmonale secondary to chronic parasitic pneumonia.

A four-year old goat was presented for anorexia and apathy since kidding one week earlier. Physical examination revealed dyspnea, extensive ascites and bilateral distended jugular veins, suggestive of congestive right heart failure. The echocardiographic findings of severe right ventricular and atrial dilatation were consistent with right heart failure. In the absence of abnormalities in the right ventricular outflow tract a diagnosis of cor pulmonale secondary to lung disease was posed. Due to a poor prognosis, the goat was euthanized. Necropsy confirmed cor pulmonale and identified severe chronic parasitic pneumonia as underlying cause. Echocardiography is an interesting tool also applicable in the farm for diagnosing heart diseases in goats, and its use should help to avoid unnecessary therapy in cases with a poor prognosis.

Serum soluble Fas in patients with Schistosomal cor pulmonale.

BACKGROUND: Schistosomal cor pulmonale is considered an important pathological condition in endemic areas. Few recent studies have reported the role of apoptosis in pulmonary hypertension. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess serum levels of soluble Fas (sFas), an inhibitor of apoptosis, in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale as compared to patients with cor pulmonale due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and normal subjects. METHODS: Serum sFas was assessed in 15 men with schistosomal cor pulmonale (age 32 +/- 10 years), 15 men with chronic cor pulmonale secondary to COPD and 20 healthy men, matched for age. RESULTS: Serum levels of sFas were significantly higher in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale (74 +/- 80 U/ml) than in patients with cor pulmonale due to COPD (15 +/- 10 U/ml) and normal subjects (19 +/- 11 U/ml, p < 0.001 in both). In patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale, sFas was significantly higher in patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure > 30 mm Hg as compared to patients with pressure < or = 30 mm Hg (109 +/- 97 vs. 34 +/- 20 U/ml, p = 0.01). There was a significant correlation between serum sFas and the mean pulmonary artery pressure in patients with bilharzial cor pulmonale (r = 0.4, p < 0.01), but not in patients with COPD (r = 0.1, p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Serum sFas levels are elevated in patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale and they are related to the severity of pulmonary hypertension. These findings suggest a role of apoptosis in schistosomal cor pulmonale.

[Hydatid pulmonary embolism. Two case reports]. / Embolies pulmonaires hydatiques. A propos de deux cas.

Hydatid pulmonary embolism is an uncommon condition resulting from the rupture of a hydatid heart cyst or the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst (often in the liver) into the venous circulation. We report two cases of hydatid pulmonary embolism following rupture of a hydatic cyst in the right ventricle. One case progressed to chronic cor pulmonale. We examine the pathophysiological mechanisms as well as the clinical, therapeutic and evolutive aspects.

Cardiopulmonary manifestations of schistosomiasis.

Three major schistosome species infect hundreds of millions of people worldwide. The majority of these infections are asymptomatic, but significant morbidity and mortality can occur as a consequence of ongoing egg deposition in host tissues. Acutely, transient chest radiographic abnormalities and nonspecific influenza-like symptoms can occur, including cough. The most common chronic pathological sequelae of schistosomiasis are those of portal hypertension with Schistosoma mansoni or S. japonicum, and genitourinary tract obstruction with S. haematobium. In less than 5% of infections, schistosomal egg obstruction of the lung vasculature results in pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Limited data suggests that cardiopulmonary schistosomiasis is seen most often in S. mansoni infections. Hepatic fibrosis and portal hypertension appear to be a prerequisite to the development of schistosomal cor pulmonale caused by this species. The premortem diagnosis of cardiopulmonary schistosomiasis depends on the detection of viable schistosomal ova in stool or urine along with evidence of characteristic hepatic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Although treatment with praziquantel can effectively eradicate all schistosomal infections with minimal toxicity, cardiopulmonary manifestations are not likely to be reversible given the chronic fibrotic tissue changes that are present.

[Post hydatid chronic cor pulmonale]. / Coeur pulmonaire chronique post-hydatique.

We report a case in a patient aged 28 admitted with haemoptysis and dyspnoea. The chest x-ray showed multiple disseminated hydatid cysts throughout the lung fields. Computerized tomography and an abdominal echo found a hydatid cyst of the liver in contact with inferior vena cava which was probably responsible for the secondary pulmonary dissemination. Subsequently there was a multiplication of the lesions with rupture and infection of several cysts. After two years the disease progressed into chronic respiratory failure with the appearance of chronic cor pulmonale. The respiratory state rapidly worsened with several episodes of cardiorespiratory failure. Death occurred six months after the appearance of CPC.

Detection of intrapulmonary shunts in schistosomal cor pulmonale.

Two patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale and central cyanosis were studied by contrast-enhanced echocardiography, using indocyanine green injection. Intrapulmonary shunts were detected by this method. To our knowledge, this is the first report that proves the presence of intrapulmonary shunts in schistosomal cor pulmonale detected by contrast-enhanced echocardiography.