Hepatic trematode Platynosomum sp. (Dicrocoeliidae) from a domestic cat in Colombo, Sri Lanka: Case report and molecular identification

Platynosomum is a digenean trematode causing hepatobiliary disease in cats in tropical and subtropical regions. The presence of Platynosomum species in Sri Lanka has not been previously reported or investigated. In the current study, we report a clinical case of a cat suffering from hepatic and biliary complications. Fine-needle aspiration of the biliary extract revealed a large number of parasite eggs, and the morphological and molecular identification of eggs was carried out. Molecular phylogenetics was performed using the nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer 2 (ITS2) and a portion of a mitochondrially encoded gene; Cytochrome C Oxidase subunit 1 (COX1). Through a combination of history, clinical signs, blood reports, ultrasound scanning, light microscopy of eggs from biliary aspirate and molecular studies, the disease was confirmed as parasitism caused by a Platynosomum like species. The Platynosomum species in Sri Lanka is phylogenetically related to Platynosomum illiciens reported from Costa Rica, Central America. This case emphasizes the importance of future studies in Sri Lanka regarding the prevalence and distribution of Platynosomum among cat populations. Further, the inclusion of feline platynosomiasis in the differential diagnoses list for hepatobiliary diseases is required.