Acute fatal hepatozoonosis in a puppy: histopathological and ultrastructural study
Hervás, J.; Carrasco, L.; Gómez-Villamandos, J.C.; Méndez, A.; Sierra, M.A.
Veterinary Record 137(20): 518-519
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 8588279 Document Number: 450280
A 4-month old recently vaccinated intact male, mixed breed puppy developed inappetence, fever, muscular disorders and hyperaesthesia and died 1 week later. PM examination revealed generalized congestion in most organs and small whitish foci in the spleen. Microscopic examination of the spleen revealed intense congestion of the red pulp and faecal centro- and perifollicular necrosis in the white pulp. Large numbers of parasites resembling schizogonic forms of Hepatozoon canis were seen in red and white pulp mononuclear cells. The liver contained necrotic foci surrounded by granulomas in the parenchyma. Parasites were present in Kupffer cells and monocytes in the sinusoids. Parasite forms were also present in the lungs which had lesions of pneumonitis and kidneys which showed multifocal interstitial nephritis. Numerous megakaryocytes were present in the spleen, liver and lung. Ultrastructural examination of liver and spleen revealed gamontic forms of H. canis as well as merozoites. This appears to be the first report of a natural and fatal acute H. canis infection in a puppy.