Occurrence of oesophageal spirocercosis in dogs

A total of 62 dogs were presented to the Department of Pathology during December, 2014 to April, 2016 for post mortem examination. Of these, five cases were diagnosed as spirocercosis. Grossly, there was presence of round nodular masses of size ranging from 3 to 7 cm in diameter on wall of esophagus at the level of apex of lung. In four cases the lesions occupied almost whole lumen of the esophagus. On sectioning, 18–20 dark red coloured worms were noted in the mass and were identified as Spirocerca lupi by parasitological examination. Microscopically, esophageal mass revealed numerous worms (Spirocerca lupi) encircled by proliferating fibrous connective tissue with infiltration of mononuclear cells, predominantly lymphocytes and macrophages. The granulomatous reaction around parasite showed different pictures according to their constituents and developmental stage. In none of the cases fibroma or fibrosarcoma was diagnosed.