Dioctophymiasis as an Emerging Disease in Palotina and Western Region of Paraná – Brazil

Abstract

Dioctophyma renale is a nematode known as giant red kidney worm and parasites kidneys of domestic and wild animals. For its life cycle to be complete, the parasite needs an aquatic environment to develop inside the intermediate and paratenic hosts (annelid oligochaete, fishes and frogs). Subsequently these hosts may be ingested by domestic and wild carnivores. In this report, we reviewed cases of roaming dogs which, probably due to their poor feeding habits and proximity to fish farming areas, have been infected by this parasite and attended at the Veterinary Hospital of Federal University of Paraná, in the municipality of Palotina. A progressive exploitation of aquaculture in local properties is observed within the region, which might provide favorable conditions for the occurrence of the disease in local roaming dogs.