Capillaria hepatica (Calodium hepaticum) infection in a horse: a case report.

Summary

# Capillaria hepatica infection in an equine patient: clinical implications of a rare parasitic disease *Capillaria hepatica* (formerly *Calodium hepaticum*) represents a zoonotic nematode with global distribution, yet documented cases in horses remain exceptionally scarce despite the parasite's establishment in wildlife populations across multiple continents. This case report documents the first confirmed equine infection in Japan, presenting an opportunity to understand how this rodent-associated parasite may establish itself in non-traditional hosts and the clinical presentations that warrant parasitological investigation. The infection was identified through hepatic pathology, likely acquired through ingestion of embryonated eggs in contaminated feed or water—a transmission route practitioners should consider when confronted with unexplained hepatic disease unresponsive to conventional diagnostics. The zoonotic potential of *C. hepatica* underscores the importance of rigorous post-mortem examination and faecal analysis in cases of hepatic dysfunction in horses, particularly where clinical signs suggest parasitic involvement. Equine practitioners should maintain awareness of this parasite as a differential diagnosis for liver disease, and implement appropriate biosecurity measures around grazing areas and feed storage where rodent populations may pose a contamination risk.

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Key Findings

• •First documented case of Capillaria hepatica infection in a horse in Japan
• •C. hepatica is a zoonotic parasite with worldwide distribution but rare occurrence in non-rodent mammals
• •Infection presented as hepatic pathology in equine host

Conditions Studied

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