Strongyloides stercoralis infection in a Finnish kennel

Kati J Dillard¹ , Seppo AM Saari² and Marjukka Anttila¹

¹Pathology Unit, Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Helsinki, Finland

²Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

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Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica 2007, 49:37doi:10.1186/1751-0147-49-37


Published:	12 December 2007

Abstract

Background

Intestinal threadworm Strongyloides stercoralis is a parasite of dog, cat and primates that occurs worldwide being most prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries. The adult parasitic worm is about 2 mm long and slender. It possesses both parasitic and free-living lifecycles. The parasitic worms are females. Strongyloides stercoralis infects the host via percutaneous, peroral or transmammary transmission in addition to autoinfection. Clinical disease varies from inapparent to severe enteritis and pneumonia. The diagnosis is based on demonstration of larvae in fresh faeces, which is best made by Baermann technique.

Case presentation

Strongyloides stercoralis infection was diagnosed in autopsy in a 10-week-old puppy born and raised in a Finnish kennel. Prior to its sudden death, the puppy had suffered from gastrointestinal disturbance for three weeks. Subsequent sampling of the dogs in the kennel revealed that three adult dogs in the kennel were also infected.

Conclusion

The present case shows that S. stercoralis can complete its life cycle and cause disease in dogs also in Northern Europe. Infection can be maintained also in a temperate climate and may become a chronic problem in a kennel environment. Infection may be underdiagnosed as Baermann technique is not routinely performed in small animal practice.