Experimental clonorchiasis in dogs: CT findings before and after treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether disease activity in clonorchiasis can be assessed with dynamic computed tomography (CT).


METHODS
Ten dogs infected with metacercariae of Clonorchis sinensis underwent serial dynamic CT examinations. Five dogs were sacrificed 14 weeks after infection, and another five infected dogs were treated with praziquantel at the 14th week and continued to undergo CT examinations until death or sacrifice at the 25th (n = 1) or 40th week (n = 4). CT images were evaluated for dilatation of the bile ducts, contrast enhancement of bile duct walls and adjacent hepatic parenchyma, visualization of flukes within the bile ducts, and presence of calcifications. Changes in CT findings were analyzed statistically by using a mixed linear model and a generalized estimating equations model.


RESULTS
Dilatation of the bile ducts, contrast enhancement of the ductal walls, transient hepatic attenuation differences, and flukes per se were observed at CT from the 2nd through the 5th week, were most apparent between the 5th and 13th weeks, and disappeared or decreased markedly in degree after treatment in all dogs (P <.05). Nodular calcifications were observed at CT after treatment in two dogs. Histopathologic examination revealed proliferation and enlargement of arteries in the periductal area and the portal tracts and congestion of hepatic sinusoids during the acute phase. Treatment was associated with periductal hyalinization, degeneration of the periductal arteries, and calcification of the ductal epithelium.


CONCLUSIONS
Disease activity in experimental canine clonorchiasis can be assessed with dynamic CT.
Lee
Kyoung Ho
KH
Department of Radiology and the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Clinical Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Korea.
Hong
Sung Tae
ST
Han
Joon Koo
JK
Yoon
Chang Jin
CJ
Lee
Sun
S
Kim
Se Hyung
SH
Choi
Byung Ihn
BI
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002758:Cholangiography; D003003:Clonorchiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel