Paragonimiasis in a Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris)

벵골 호랑이 (Panthera tigris tigris)의 폐(肺)디스토마증(症)

A 16-year-old female Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) infected with Paragonimus kellicotti was described. Noticeable clinical symptom was not observed before death. At autopsy, numerous cysts were found on the pleural surface of the lung. The cysts were spherical, approximately 1.0 cm in diameter, bulge the pleura, and dark red-brown in color. Such cysts were also found in the deeper lung parenchyma, and usually contained adult flukes in pairs. Histopathologically, the cyst was lined with stratified squamous epithelium which arose from metaplasia of bronchial epithelium. Partial hyperplasia and necrotic foci accompanied with inflammatory cells were often observed in the squamous epithelium. The outer part of the cyst was consisted of fibrous connective tissue in which leukocytes were infiltrated. Catarrhal pneumonia was manifested in the adjacent lung tissues.