Abstract
ABSTRACT. Mistieri M.L. de A., Pascon J.P. da E. & dos Santos F.P. [Multiple infestation of Dioctophyme renale in dogs with leishmaniasis in Uruguaiana, RS - Report of five cases.] Infestação múltipla de Dioctophyme renale em cães portadores de leishmaniose em Uruguaiana, RS - Relato de cinco casos. Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 36(2):195-198, 2014. Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Caixa Postal 118, Uruguaiana, RS 97500-970, Brasil. Email: mariamistieri@unipampa.edu.br Dioctophyme renale is a parasite of different animal species, including human beings. The parasite life cycle can be complex, involving intermediate hosts, definitive hosts and paratenic hosts, represented by different species of frog, rat and fish, specially. The domestic dogs are considered unusual and terminal hosts because they commonly present single parasite, enabling its reproduction and the cycle maintenance. This report presents a multiple infestation of D. renale (male and female specimens) in five of nine dogs that underwent to euthanasia due to leishmaniasis. It was noticed two to eight parasites in each affected dog, summing 27 specimens, 12 males measuring between 9.0 and 21.5 cm in length and 15 females with 23.5 to 42.0 cm. In all dogs, the right kidney was completely destroyed. Actual epidemiological studies are necessary to check the real prevalence of the dioctophimosis in the region of Uruguaiana and the determination of the local parasite cycle. Deficient sanitary and hygiene conditions are commonly observed in the progression of D. renale and Leishmania sp. infections. It is possible that those conditions are the link between both disorders in the studied dogs.