The rhabditid nematode Strongyloides stercoralis is known worldwide as the causative agent of strongyloidiasis in humans. In addition to public health concerns, S. stercoralis also infects dogs, which represent a possible reservoir for potentially zoonotic transmissions. We describe the first confirmed case of fatal disseminated infection in a dog in the Czech Republic. The microscopic and histological results were supported by a complex genotyping approach. Using high-throughput sequencing of the hypervariable region (HVR-IV) of 18S rDNA and Sanger sequencing of the partial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (cox1), the potentially zoonotic haplotype/lineage A of S. stercoralis was confirmed, while the solely canine haplotype/lineage B was not found. The development of the disease is mainly associated with immunodeficiency, and in this case, it was triggered by inappropriate treatment, in particular the use of corticosteroids.

Central European Institute of Technology Masaryk University Kamenice 753 5 625 00 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Botany and Zoology Faculty of Science Masaryk University Kotlářská 2 611 37 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Pathology and Parasitology University of Veterinary Sciences Brno Palackého třída 1946 1 612 42 Brno Czech Republic

Department of Veterinary Sciences Faculty of Agrobiology Food and Natural Resources Czech University of Life Sciences Prague Kamýcká 129 165 00 Prague Czech Republic

Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre Czech Academy of Sciences Branišovská 31 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Institute of Vertebrate Biology Czech Academy of Sciences Květná 8 603 00 Brno Czech Republic

Pathology Department LABOKLIN GmbH and Co KG 97688 Bad Kissingen Germany

Veterinary centrum VIVA Medkova 6 500 02 Hradec Králové Czech Republic

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