Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog : a review

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dc.contributor.author Van der Merwe, Liesel Laura
dc.contributor.author Kirberger, Robert M.
dc.contributor.author Clift, Sarah Jane
dc.contributor.author Williams, Mark C.
dc.contributor.author Keller, Ninette
dc.contributor.author Naidoo, Vinny
dc.date.accessioned 2009-03-26T07:05:22Z
dc.date.available 2009-03-26T07:05:22Z
dc.date.issued 2008
dc.description.abstract Spirocercosis is a disease occurring predominantly in Canidae, caused by the nematode Spirocerca lupi. Typical clinical signs are regurgitation, vomiting and dyspnoea. The life-cycle involves an intermediate (coprophagous beetle) and a variety of paratenic hosts. Larvae follow a specific migratory route, penetrating the gastric mucosa of the host, migrating along arteries, maturing in the thoracic aorta before eventually moving to the caudal oesophagus. Here the worm lives in nodules and passes larvated eggs which can be detected using zinc sulphate faecal flotation. Histologically, the mature oesophageal nodule is composed mostly of actively dividing fibroblasts. Spirocerca lupi-associated oesophageal sarcomas may occur and damage to the aorta results in aneurysms. A pathognomonic lesion for spirocercosis is spondylitis of the thoracic vertebrae. Primary radiological lesions include an oesophageal mass, usually in the terminal oesophagus, spondylitis, and undulation of the aortic border. Contrast radiography and computed tomography are helpful additional emerging modalities. Oesophageal endoscopy has a greater diagnostic sensitivity than radiography. Endoscopic biopsies are not sensitive for detecting neoplastic transformation. Doramectin is the current drug of choice, effectively killing adult worms and decreasing egg shedding. Early diagnosis of infection is still a challenge and to date no ideal regimen for prophylaxis has been published. en
dc.identifier.citation Van Der Merwe, LL, Kirberger, RM, Clift, S, Williams, M, Keller, N & Naidoo, V 2008, ‘Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog: a review’, The Veterinary Journal, vol. 176, no. 3, pp. 293-309 [http://www.elsevier.com/locate/tvjl] en
dc.identifier.issn 1090-0233
dc.identifier.other 10.1016/j.tvjl.2007.02.032
dc.identifier.other 7004586182
dc.identifier.other 8621439700
dc.identifier.other N-8699-2014
dc.identifier.other A-1508-2008
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/2263/9337
dc.language.iso en en
dc.publisher Elsevier en
dc.rights Elsevier en
dc.subject Regurgitation en
dc.subject Dyspnoea en
dc.subject Oesophageal sarcoma en
dc.subject Spondylitis en
dc.subject Aortic aneurysm en
dc.subject Doramectin en
dc.subject Neoplastic transformation en
dc.subject.lcsh Spirochaetosis en
dc.subject.lcsh Bacterial diseases en
dc.subject.lcsh Dogs -- Diseases en
dc.title Spirocerca lupi infection in the dog : a review en
dc.type Postprint Article en


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