Gnathostomiasis in three cats

A fatal infection with Gnathostoma spinigerum causing a perforated stomach is described in a 3-year-old cat. In a second debilitated case a small serosal perforation was found on a gastric lesion, while a third cat in good condition is described with a well developed stomach lesion but without perforation. Histopathological changes in the stomach were found in the submucosa and consisted of marked proliferation of fibrous tissue containing foci of inflammatory cells, necrotic tracts and a cavity in which the adult nematodes were found.