Clinical evaluation of Paragonimiosis in cats experimentally infected with Paragonimus mexicanus

The objective of this study was to describe the clinical signs associated to the experimental infection of Paragonimus mexicanus in cats. Eight cats of 2.5 to 4 months of age were orally infected with 7 to 20 metacercariae. In the physical examination during the acute phase was found fever, wet cough, and enlargement of the inguinal lymph node, while in the chronic phase wet cough, positive tracheal reflex and increase of the breath sound. On the complete blood count was found leukocytosis with different degrees of lymphocytosis, neutrophilia and eosinophilia in the acute phase and leukocytosis with an increase of eosinophilia in the chronic phase. On the ultrasonography examination, enlargement of the vesicular wall, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly and increase in liver echogenicity were found, especially during the acute phase. The early radiological findings included bronchiectasis focus, bronchial thickening and increased radiopacity of lung lobes, while in the chronic phase radiopaque ovoid structures in the pulmonary parenchyma and bronchiectasis were observed. The period between infection and presence of P. mexicanus eggs in the faeces was between 41 and 71 days. The necropsy confirmed the presence of cysts and parasites in the lungs.