Fatal cerebral coenurosis in a cat

A 6-year-old cat that was laterally recumbent and panting was evaluated because of a 10-day history of progressive neurologic abnormalities. Despite aggressive treatment, the cat died on the day of admission. At necropsy, a 1.5-cm-diameter, fluid-filled cyst was found in the white matter of the left cerebrum. The cyst was identified as a coenurus of Taenia serialis, on the basis of the cyst wall, distribution of scolices, and the shape and dimensions of rostellar hooks. Scolices were found in varying stages of ontogeny, ranging from undifferentiated to nearly mature. Taenia serialis has a canid-lagomorph life cycle, with cats being accidental intermediate hosts. However, the potential exists for rare zoonotic transmission and subsequent serious disease in human beings and other accidental intermediate hosts.