Cerebral Hemorrhage and Necrosis Due to the Aberration of Dirofilaria immitis in a Dog

Abstract

A two-year-old dog with severe neurological symptoms was diagnosed with an aberration of Dirofilaria immitis in the cerebrum as a result of pathological and parasitological examinations. Histologically, multifocal cavitation (worm tunnels), parenchymal necrosis and fresh hemorrhage were found in the frontal and temporal cerebral lobes and in the basalganglia. These lesions were prominent in the right frontal lobe. Considering that the dogwas young and had only three D. immitis worms in the heart, it is suggested that fatal brain damage due to D. immitis aberration may occur when dogs have few chances of D. immitis infestation.