Infecção por Gurltia paralysans em gatos domésticos no Estado de Pernambuco, Brasil / Gurltia paralysans infection in domestic cats in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

ABSTRACT

Background: The Gurltia paralysans nematode was initially described in Chile and for many years it was believed that thedisease caused by this parasite was restricted to this country. However, in Argentina, Uruguay and more recently in Brazil,among other countries, cases of Gurltiosis have been described in both domestic and wild cats. This disease is chronic anddebilitating due to the progressive paralysis developed. This study aimed to describe the clinical, epidemiological and pathological aspects of G. paralysans infection in domestic cats of the Agreste region of the state of Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.Case Clinical, epidemiological and pathological aspects of G. paralysans infection in domestic cats in the rural area oftwo Agreste municipalities in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, are described. Seven farms were visited, in which 11 maleand female affected felines were evaluated. Among these, euthanasia was performed in four cases, at the owners’ requestand due to the advanced stage of the disease. Clinical signs began with ataxia of the pelvic limbs and evolved to jumpingdifficulty, lateral falls, muscle atrophy, pelvic limb scarring, and paralysis at the most severe stage of the disease, whichdeveloped in a one-year period, approximately. According to the owners, the affected cats died between six months andone year after the initial clinical signs. At necropsy, there were segments of the spinal cord with extensive reddish areasin the dura, between T7 and S2, corresponding to varices. These were characterized by numerous congestive, dilatedand tortuous blood vessels observed in the dorsal plane, but more pronounced in the ventral plane of the meninges. Inthe bladder, multifocal areas of hemorrhage were observed. Histologically, vascular lesions in veins and venules of theleptomeninges were characterized by venous varices with thrombosis, fibrosis and intravascular parasites associated withmoderate...