Acanthamoeba infection is associated with keratitis in humans; however, its association with keratitis in dogs remains unclear. To investigate this possibility, we collected 171 conjunctival swab samples from dogs with eye-related diseases (65 with keratitis and 106 without keratitis) at Chungbuk National University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Korea, from August 2021 to September 2022. Polymerase chain reaction identified 9 samples (5.3%) as Acanthamoeba positive; of these, 3 were from dogs with keratitis (4.6%) and 6 were from dogs without keratitis (5.7%). Our results indicated no significant association between Acanthamoeba infection and keratitis, season, sex, or age. All Acanthamoeba organisms found in this study had the genotype T4, according to 18S ribosomal RNA analysis. Acanthamoeba infection in dogs might have only a limited association with keratitis.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Epidemiology, molecular characterization, and risk factors of Acanthamoeba spp., Blastocystis spp., and Cyclospora spp. infections in snakes in China Yilei Zhang, Zhouchun Li, Xinyuan Wang, Kaili Gao, Lijie Tian, Olalekan Opeyemi Ayanniyi, Qianming Xu, Congshan Yang Veterinary Parasitology.2025; 335: 110420. CrossRef
Acanthamoeba spp.: Neglected Protists in Veterinary Medicine Somayeh Bahrami, Mehdi Zarei, Fiona L. Henriquez, Chukwunonso O. Nzelu Acta Parasitologica.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Anti-adherent effects of Rhizophora apiculata bark and leaf extracts and computational prediction of the effects of its compound on β-tubulin interaction in Acanthamoeba triangularis genotype 4 Siriphorn Chimplee, Imran Sama-ae, Suthinee Sangkanu, Watcharapong Mitsuwan, Julalak Chuprom, Rachasak Boonhok, Dhrubo Ahmed Khan, Partha Biswas, Md Nazmul Hasan, Hazel Anne Tabo, Cristina C. Salibay, Polrat Wilairatana, Maria L. Pereira, Muhammad Nawaz, Veterinary World.2024; : 2829. CrossRef
This study reports the first two clinical cases of spirometrosis caused by Spirometra sp. in cats in Korea. In these two cases, the cats vomited, and long proglottids of tapeworm were recovered. The sick cats presented with anorexia and lethargy. However, they unexpectedly showed no diarrhea, which is the main symptom of spirometrosis. Based on a fecal floatation test as well as morphological and molecular analyses, the parasite was diagnosed as Spirometra sp. The 2 cases were treated with praziquantel. This study suggests regular monitoring of health and deworming in companion animals, even when animals are well cared for, with regular preventive medication. Additionally, spirometrosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in cases of gastrointestinal symptoms in Spirometra endemic areas.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
First morphological and molecular characterisation of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidae) in a domestic cat from Veracruz, Mexico Enrique Salazar-Grosskelwing, Roger I. Rodriguez-Vivas, Manuel E. Bolio-González, Dora Romero-Salas, Rodolfo Ramos-Beltrán, Alberto Solano-Barquero, Alicia Rojas Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.2025; 57: 101189. CrossRef
Description of Spirometra asiana sp. nov. (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidae) found in wild boars and hound dogs in Japan Hiroshi Yamasaki, Hiromu Sugiyama, Yasuyuki Morishima, Hirotaka Kobayashi Parasitology International.2024; 98: 102798. CrossRef
Molecular identification of Spirometra infections in companion animals and wildlife in Japan Hiroshi YAMASAKI, Hiromu SUGIYAMA, Yasuyuki MORISHIMA, Yasuhito SAKO Journal of Veterinary Medical Science.2024; 86(4): 409. CrossRef
WITHDRAWN: First morphological and molecular characterisation of Spirometra mansoni (Cestoda, Diphyllobothriidae) in a domestic cat from Veracruz, Mexico Enrique Salazar-Grosskelwing, Roger I. Rodriguez-Vivas, Manuel E. Bolio-González, Dora Romero-Salas, Rodolfo Ramos-Beltrán, Alberto Solano-Barquero, Alicia Rojas Veterinary Parasitology: Regional Studies and Reports.2024; 56: 101127. CrossRef