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Chronic dilatative myocarditis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in two dogs
S C Barr1, R M Simpson, S P Schmidt
1Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803.
Abstract:
Trypanosoma cruzi was believed responsible for causing chronic dilatative myocarditis in 2 female hunting dogs. Clinical signs included ascites, respiratory distress, thoracic effusion, cyanosis, and weak pulse with ventricular arrhythmias. Electrocardiography indicated first-degree heart block, chamber enlargement, and ventricular-based arrhythmias unresponsive to treatment. M-mode echocardiography of 1 dog confirmed bilateral cardiac enlargement and septal and left ventricular free wall thinning. Multifocal infiltrates of plasma cells, lymphocytes, and histiocytes, cardiocyte degeneration, and multifocal fibrosis were the predominant histologic lesions. Trypanosoma cruzi pseudocysts were infrequently found.