Histopathologic changes and larval recovery of Toxocara cati in experimentally infected chickens

This study was made to determine the distribution pattern of Toxocara cati larvae in chickens as a paratenic host and its potential zoonotic risk by consuming infected chickens. Two groups of chickens were fed with 1,000 and 3,000 embryonated eggs of T. cati. The chickens were necropsied 3, 7, 14, and 21 days postinfection. The liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, small intestine, and half of all the striated muscles were digested for larval recovery. Squash method was used for brain. Larvae were recovered from the liver and brain of infected chickens with 1,000 embryonated eggs. Samples of these tissues were prepared for histopathologic studies. Experimental chickens exhibited hemorrhages in the liver, lungs, and kidneys on all days postinfections (dpi). White spots on the liver surfaces that showed necrotic foci, infiltration of eosinophils, and a few lymphocytes around necrotic areas were seen on 14 and 21 dpi. Remains of larvae were present in the liver on 14 dpi. Pathologic findings showed that larvae migrated in different organs of chickens. We suggest that chickens could be paratenic hosts, and human infection with T. cati might occur after consumption of raw or undercooked meat of infected chicken with T. cati.