title: Nodular presentation of Dirofilaria repens infection in a cat mimicking a fibrosarcoma.
abstract: A cat with multiple subcutaneous nodules suggesting a soft tissue sarcoma by physical and computed tomographic examination was diagnosed as being affected by subcutaneous filariosis based on cytologic and ultrasonographic assessments. Nodules were surgically removed and extracted nematodes were identified by PCR as Dirofilaria repens. Furthermore, DNA of Dipetalonema dracunculoides (syn. Acantocheilonema dracunculoides) was detected by PCR, with no evidence of circulating microfilariae. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this represents the first report describing adults of D repens in multiple subcutaneous nodules in a cat. Cytopathologic examination allowed characterization of the parasitic nature of the nodules. Veterinary practitioners should be aware of the possible nodular presentation of D repens in cats and should include D repens in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous neoformations in the cat.
authors.affiliation: Novara Day Lab - IDEXX Laboratories Italia srl, Granozzo con Monticello, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manzocchi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lendner
authors.affiliation: Novara Day Lab - IDEXX Laboratories Italia srl, Granozzo con Monticello, Italy.
authors.forename: Eleonora
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Piseddu
authors.affiliation: Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Granozzo con Monticello, Italy.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sebastiani
authors.affiliation: Istituto Veterinario di Novara, Granozzo con Monticello, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Morabito
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Arwid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daugschies
authors.affiliation: IDEXX Laboratories, Ludwigsburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pantchev
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D060348:Dirofilaria repens / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005354:Fibrosarcoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008842:Microfilariae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: 
  Acantocheilonema dracunculoides
  ; 
  Dirofilaria repens
  ; cat; microfilariae; neoplasia; subcutis