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Fatal cerebral cuterebrosis in a dog
Janice Y Park1, Caroline Sobotyk1, Erin E Edwards2
1Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
Veterinary Parasitology, Regional Studies and Reports
|December 9, 2021
Summary
A fatal case of aberrant cuterebrosis in a Yorkshire Terrier was diagnosed post-mortem. A Cuterebra botfly larva migrating in the brain caused severe neurological signs and death in the dog.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Parasitology
- Canine Pathology
Background:
- Aberrant cuterebrosis, caused by botfly larvae migrating to unusual locations, is rare in dogs.
- Neurological signs can be the presenting complaint, often leading to a poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of fatal aberrant cuterebrosis in a dog.
- To highlight the diagnostic methods and potential outcomes of this condition.
Main Methods:
- Necropsy and histopathological examination of a deceased Yorkshire Terrier.
- Morphological identification of a botfly larva.
- DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and sequencing of mitochondrial genes (COI and COII) for species identification.
- Phylogenetic analysis to confirm larval identification.
Main Results:
- A single botfly larva (Cuterebra abdominalis) was found within the cerebral meninges.
- Hemorrhage, necrosis, and inflammation were observed in the right cerebral hemisphere.
- Molecular analysis confirmed the larva's identity as Cuterebra abdominalis.
Conclusions:
- Aberrant cuterebrosis can cause acute, severe neurological signs and death in dogs.
- Accurate identification of the parasite is crucial for understanding its pathogenesis.
- This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic migration in neurological disease.
