Splenic paragonimiasis: A case in a dog

, Chi, Je Geun; , Lee, Ok Ran; , Choi, Won Young

doi:1981.19.1.81

Korean J Parasito > Volume 19(1):1981 > Article

Case Report


Korean J Parasitol. 1981 Aug;19(1):81-85. English. Published online Mar 20, 1994. http://dx.doi.org/10.3347/kjp.1981.19.1.81
Copyright © 1981 by The Korean Society for Parasitology


Splenic paragonimiasis: A case in a dog
Je G. Chi,Ok Ran Lee and Won Young Choi
Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Korea.
Department of Parasitology, Catholic Medical College, Seoul, Korea.


Abstract
A case of Paragonimus westermani cysts found deep inside the spleen is described. This spleen was from a dog that was experimentally infected via oral route with a hundred metacercariae and was killed 3 months after. At autopsy, beside the usual lesions due to Paragonimus in the lungs, the spleen was the site of multiple parasitic cysts. The involved spleen was slightly enlarged and showed an area of hemorrhagic dome on the capsular surface. There found a total of 8 adult worms in four well demarcated parasitic cysts containing a pair of worms each. All of them were found deep into the splenic parenchyme and were surrounded by a well formed connective tissue wall, thus resembling the features of the pulmonary paragonimiasis. The route of infection was assumed to be a direct transcapsular invasion during the phase of larval migration.

Figures

Figs. 1-4
Fig. 1. Superior surface of the affected spleen, showing a dome-shaped darkish elevation(arrows). Note also minute dark pits surrounded by a whitish exudate resembling miniature craters.

Fig. 2. Cut section of the same spleen, showing a well demarcated cystic structure (arrow) in which a pair of Paragonimus westermani adult worm is found situated included.

Fig. 3. Photomicrograph of the worms and surrounding tissue reaction in the spleen. Necrotic debris and eggs are seen inside a thick collagenous connective tissue wall. H&E ×40.

Fig. 4. Higher manification of a cyst wall and a worm. The cyst wall is densely collagenous, and there is a direct contract between the worm and the cyst (The space between is an artefact). H&E ×100.

References


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