Naturally occurring trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease) in dogs
Williams, G.D.; Adams, L.G.; Yaeger, R.G.; McGrath, R.K.; Read, W.K.; Bilderback, W.R.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 171(2): 171-177
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 407202 Document Number: 122346
Nine fatal cases of canine American trypanosomiasis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi were encountered between November 1972 and November 1975 at Texas A & M University. Of the 9 cases, 7 occurred in dogs from 5 central Texas counties, and all but one case was diagnosed during the months of September, October or November. The source of infection was discovered in only one case, being a house heavily infested with Triatoma lecticularius occulta Neiva. Each of 6 bugs collected had infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Trypanosomiasis usually is not considered in the differential clinical diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in man or other mammals in the USA. An antemortem diagnosis was made in only 1 of the 9 dogs, with diagnosis in the remaining dogs being made at necropsy. The predominant microscopic lesion in all dogs was necrotising granulomatous myocarditis associated with the amastigotes of T. cruzi. In the USA, 9 fatal cases of canine American trypanosomiasis were encountered from November, 1972 to November, 1975. Of the 9 cases, 7 occurred in dogs from 5 central Texas counties, and all but one case was diagnosed during the months of September, October, or November. The source of infection was discovered in only one case, in a dog-house heavily infested with Triatoma lectularius occulta. Each of 6 bugs collected contained infective forms of Trypanosoma cruzi. Trypanosomiasis usually is not considered in the differential clinical diagnosis of cardiac dysfunction in man or other mammals in the USA. An antermortem diagnosis was made in only one of the 9 dogs, with diagnosis in the remaining dogs being made at autopsy. The predominant microscopic lesion in all dogs was necrotizing granulomatous myocarditis associated with the amastigotes of T. cruzi. [AS].