Subcutaneous sparganosis, a zoonotic cestodiasis, in two cats

Abstract

Sparganosis is a zoonotic cestodiasis of human beings and animals caused by plerocercoid or second-stage larvae (sparganum) of pseudophyllidean tapeworms in host tissues. Cats are among definitive hosts in which the larva develops to adult stage in the intestines. Reports on larval infection involving various tissues and organs in cats are scarce. Rare single case reports of visceral sparganosis in cats are previously documented. The present report documents an unusual subcutaneous sparganosis in 2 Domestic Shorthair cats from southern Georgia. Veterinary clinicians should consider sparganosis as differential diagnosis for subcutaneous cyst-like masses in cats. As infected animals and animal tissues are sources of human infection, sparganosis warrants public awareness and due precaution to avoid human infection.