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Fagundes-Moreira R, Silveira E, Baggio-Souza V, Marques SMT, Vidor SB, de Jezus Castro SM, Spanamberg A, Henker LC, Pavarini SP, Soares JF, da Costa FVA. Comparative analysis of diagnostic methods and risk factors for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in brazilian cats. J Helminthol 2023; 97:e91. [PMID: 38073416 DOI: 10.1017/s0022149x23000755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the risk factors of infection by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Brazilian cats with cough and/or radiographic changes, using as diagnostic tools the Baermann method (BM), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of feces, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and cytology. Forty-three cats that were presented with cough or lung radiographic abnormalities compatible with bronchoalveolar disease were included in the study. After clinical evaluation, feces samples were collected to investigate lungworm parasitism through BM and PCR. BALF was performed to provide samples for cytology, bacteriology, and fungal culture. Stool PCR was considered the gold standard for diagnosis tests, and the other methods were evaluated by their agreement. PCR presented 74% (32/43) of positivity for A. abstrusus, while in the BM, 41% (18/43) were positive. BM showed sensitivity of 56.25% and specificity of 100% when compared with PCR. No larva was found in the cytological evaluation of 21 BALF samples. Lungworm is an important cause of bronchopulmonary disease in domestic cats in Brazil and should be included as a differential diagnosis when a cat is presented with cough or radiographic abnormalities. BM is a sensitive, non-invasive, and cheap technique to diagnose the disease, but it is not as sensitive as PCR.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Fagundes-Moreira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (ProtozooVet), Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - E Silveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - V Baggio-Souza
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (ProtozooVet), Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - S M T Marques
- Laboratório de Helmintologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S B Vidor
- Laboratory of Teaching, Research, Extension and Production in Surgery and Veterinary Anesthesiology. Instituto Federal Farroupilha, Frederico Westphalen, Brazil
| | - S M de Jezus Castro
- Department of Statistics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A Spanamberg
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Micologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - L C Henker
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S P Pavarini
- Setor de Patologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - J F Soares
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Laboratório de Protozoologia e Rickettsioses Vetoriais (ProtozooVet), Faculdade de Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul - UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - F V A da Costa
- Feline Medicine Service, Veterinary Clinics Hospital, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Bishop GT, DeBess E. Feline parasites and the emergence of feline lungworm in the Portland metropolitan area, Oregon, USA 2016-2017. JFMS Open Rep 2021; 7:20551169211053595. [PMID: 34777846 PMCID: PMC8573509 DOI: 10.1177/20551169211053595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of internal parasites in feral and free-roaming owned cats in the region of Portland, Oregon, USA. Methods Fecal samples from asymptomatic cats were opportunistically collected from feral cats presented for surgical sterilization (n = 46), as well as free-roaming owned cats (n = 86) presented to primary care clinics. Fecal analysis was performed using the Baermann technique, centrifugal flotation, fluorescent auramine and fluorescent antibody for Giardia species. Results Lungworm infection was identified in 24.2% of owned cats and 17.2% of feral cats. At least 11 unique parasite species were identified in this study. Taenia species and Toxocara cati were identified in higher proportions in feral cats, whereas Giardia species were significantly higher in owned cats. Conclusions and relevance The prevalence of lungworm was higher than has been previously documented in other areas of the USA. In addition, feral cats were infected with a higher percentage of Toxocara species and Taenia but a significantly lower percentage of Giardia species.
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Barrios N, Gómez M, Zanelli M, Rojas-Barón L, Sepúlveda-García P, Alabí A, Adasme M, Müller A, Rosenfeld C, González-Lagos C, Taubert A, Hermosilla C. A Molecular Survey on Neglected Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infections in Domestic Cats ( Felis catus) from Southern Chile. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091195. [PMID: 34578227 PMCID: PMC8468845 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are neglected metastrongyloid nematode species which infect domestic and wild cats in South American countries and in Chile, but no epidemiological studies on concomitant infections have been conducted in Chile so far. The aim of this study was not only to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant infections, but also to identify epidemiological risk factors associated with of G. paralysans and A. abstrusus infections in urban domestic cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile. Blood samples from clinically healthy domestic cats from three cities of Southern Chile-Temuco, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt-were analyzed by an experimental semi-nested PCR protocol. A total of 171 apparently healthy domestic cats in Temuco (n = 68), Valdivia (n = 50), and Puerto Montt (n = 53) were sampled and analyzed. A total of 93 domestic cats (54.4%) were positive for G. paralysans, and 34 (19.9%) were positive for A. abstrusus infections. From those animals, 34 (19.9%) were co-infected. Cats positive with G. paralysans were found in all three cities; 47.2% in Puerto Montt, 48% in Valdivia, and 64.7% in Temuco. Levels of infection for A. abstrusus in the population under study were 4% (Valdivia), 10% (Puerto Montt), and 32.4% (Temuco). The present large-scale epidemiological study confirmed the presence of these neglected nematodes in domestic cat populations in Southern Chile, and described the possible risk factors associated with feline gurltiosis and aelurostrongylosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Barrios
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (N.B.); (L.R.-B.)
| | - Marcelo Gómez
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (N.B.); (L.R.-B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +56-6322-21548 or +56-6322-23247
| | - Macarena Zanelli
- Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad Santo Tomas, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile;
| | - Lisbeth Rojas-Barón
- Instituto de Farmacología y Morfofisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (N.B.); (L.R.-B.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.T.); (C.H.)
| | - Paulina Sepúlveda-García
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (P.S.-G.); (A.A.); (M.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Amir Alabí
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (P.S.-G.); (A.A.); (M.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Melany Adasme
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (P.S.-G.); (A.A.); (M.A.); (A.M.)
| | - Ananda Müller
- Instituto de Ciencias Clínicas Veterinarias, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile; (P.S.-G.); (A.A.); (M.A.); (A.M.)
- Biomedical Sciences Department, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre 42123, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | - Carla Rosenfeld
- Instituto de Medicina Preventiva Veterinaria, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia 5090000, Chile;
| | - César González-Lagos
- Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago 8320000, Chile;
- Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES), Santiago 8331150, Chile
| | - Anja Taubert
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.T.); (C.H.)
| | - Carlos Hermosilla
- Institute of Parasitology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (A.T.); (C.H.)
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Morelli S, Colombo M, Diakou A, Traversa D, Grillini M, Frangipane di Regalbono A, Di Cesare A. The Influence of Temperature on the Larval Development of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the Land Snail Cornu aspersum. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10080960. [PMID: 34451424 PMCID: PMC8399508 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The metastrongyloid Aelurostrongylus abstrusus has an indirect lifecycle involving gastropod intermediate hosts. The widespread snail Cornu aspersum is an efficient intermediate host of A. abstrusus. As the temperature may influence the developmental rate of metastrongyloids from first (L1) to the third infective larval stage (L3) inside molluscs, this study evaluated the effect of two controlled temperatures on the development of A. abstrusus in C. aspersum. Overall, 300 snails were infected with 500 L1 of A. abstrusus and kept at ∼25 °C. Fifteen days post infection (D15), the overall developmental rate to L3 (0.8%) was assessed in a subset of 20 snails. The remaining gastropods were divided in 2 groups, i.e., 180 still kept at ∼25 °C (G1) and 100 hibernated at ∼4 °C (G2). On D30, the larval development was evaluated in 20 snails from each group, while another batch of 80 snails was selected random from G1 and hibernated at ∼4 °C (G3). The larval developmental rate was determined digesting 20 snails from each of the three groups on D45, D60, and D75. The higher mean developmental rate was registered in G1 (3.8%) compared to G2 (1.9%) and G3 (2.3%), indicating that the development to L3 of A. abstrusus in C. aspersum is positively influenced by the increase of temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Marika Grillini
- Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (M.G.); (A.F.d.R.)
| | | | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (M.C.); (D.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Raue K, Raue J, Hauck D, Söbbeler F, Morelli S, Traversa D, Schnyder M, Volk H, Strube C. Do All Roads Lead to Rome? The Potential of Different Approaches to Diagnose Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infection in Cats. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050602. [PMID: 34069100 PMCID: PMC8157210 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
An infection with the cat lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, can be subclinical, but it can also cause severe respiratory clinical signs. Larvae excretion, antibody levels, clinical assessment findings of the respiratory system and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded and compared for six cats with experimental aelurostrongylosis. In five cats, patency started 33-47 days post infection (pi), but two cats excreted larvae only in long intervals and low numbers. Positive ELISA results were observed in four cats with patent aelurostrongylosis, starting between five days before and 85 days after onset of patency. One seropositive cat remained copromicroscopically negative. Mild respiratory signs were observed in all cats examined. A computed tomographic (CT) examination of the lungs displayed distinct alterations, even in absence of evident clinical signs or when larvae excretion was low or negative. The thoracic radiograph evaluation correlated with the CT results, but CT was more distinctive. After anthelmintic treatment in the 25th week post infection, pulmonary imaging findings improved back to normal within 6-24 weeks. This study shows that a multifaceted approach, including diagnostic imaging, can provide a clearer diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Furthermore, a CT examination provides an alternative to post mortem examination and worm counts in anthelmintic efficacy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Raue
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (K.R.); (D.H.)
| | - Jonathan Raue
- Department for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.R.); (F.S.); (H.V.)
| | - Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (K.R.); (D.H.)
| | - Franz Söbbeler
- Department for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.R.); (F.S.); (H.V.)
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (S.M.); (D.T.)
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Holger Volk
- Department for Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (J.R.); (F.S.); (H.V.)
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; (K.R.); (D.H.)
- Correspondence:
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da Silva Lima W, Ferreira Farago EC, do Nascimento Mesquita M, Duarte Pacheco A, Fernandes Nunes da Silva Malavazi P, Salvador Oliveira H, Morelli S, Colombo M, Di Cesare A, Figueiredo de Souza S. First Case of Clinical Cat Aelurostrongylosis in the Brazilian Amazon: Clinical and Molecular Insights. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10050595. [PMID: 34068219 PMCID: PMC8153145 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10050595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important respiratory parasite infecting domestic cats worldwide. Nevertheless, most records and epizootiological data come from Europe, whilst poor and fragmentary information are available for other regions, including the Americas. The present article describes the first description of cat aelurostrongylosis from Amazonia, Brazil. Eighty-one cats, 13 from a shelter and 68 admitted at the Teaching and Research Unit in Veterinary Medicine (UV) at the Federal University of Acre (UFAC), Brazil, were included in the study. For all cats, three faecal samples from consecutive defecations were examined using the Baermann’s technique. Nematode first stage larvae (L1), retrieved in 2/81 (2.5%) samples, were microscopically identified as A. abstrusus and then subjected to a molecular assay able to identify the three most important species of metastrongyloids infecting felids. This test confirmed the A. abstrusus identity in one sample, while the second scored negative. The cat with confirmed aelurostrongylosis showed radiographic changes, i.e., an interstitial pattern, compatible with the infection. The other cat, which scored positive at the Baermann’s examination, was apparently healthy at the physical examination and showed no thoracic alterations. The occurrence of A. abstrusus in domestic cats from Brazilian Amazon is herein demonstrated for the first time. Clinical, epizootiological and molecular implications are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilison da Silva Lima
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
| | - Enny Caroline Ferreira Farago
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
| | - Millena do Nascimento Mesquita
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
| | - Acácio Duarte Pacheco
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
| | - Patrícia Fernandes Nunes da Silva Malavazi
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
| | | | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (A.D.C.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (M.C.); (A.D.C.)
| | - Soraia Figueiredo de Souza
- Centro de Ciencias Biológicas e da Natureza, Federal University of Acre, Rio Branco, AC 69900-000, Brazil; (W.d.S.L.); (E.C.F.F.); (M.d.N.M.); (A.D.P.); (P.F.N.d.S.M.); (S.F.d.S.)
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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infections in Domestic Cats ( Felis silvestris catus) from Antioquia, Colombia. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10030337. [PMID: 33805839 PMCID: PMC7998092 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10030337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infections in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) have sporadically been reported in Colombia, there is still no data available on epidemiology nor on the biology of this neglected lungworm parasite. Thus, this epidemiological study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of patent A. abstrusus infections in domestic cats from the Colombian Federal State of Antioquia. In total, 473 fecal samples of indoor/outdoor domestic cats were collected and analyzed thereafter by the Baermann funnel migration technique for the presence of A. abstrusus first stage larvae 1 (L1). The occurrence of A. abstrusus was confirmed in 0.4% (2/473) of investigated cats. Due to the presence of patent A. abstrusus infections in investigated cats, it is unfailing to include this lungworm within differential diagnoses of feline pulmonary disorders. Despite the fact that the Baermann funnel technique is currently the cheapest and the gold standard diagnostic tool for feline aelurostrongylosis, this technique is still unknown by Colombian veterinary surgeons and rarely utilized in small animal veterinary clinics. The current survey intends to generate awareness on this neglected parasitosis and to be considered as a baseline study for future surveys monitoring feline aelurostrongylosis not only in domestic/stray cats but also in endemic wild felid species of Colombia.
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Raue K, Rohdich N, Hauck D, Zschiesche E, Morelli S, Traversa D, Di Cesare A, Roepke RKA, Strube C. Efficacy of Bravecto ® Plus spot-on solution for cats (280 mg/ml fluralaner and 14 mg/ml moxidectin) for the prevention of aelurostrongylosis in experimentally infected cats. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:110. [PMID: 33593394 PMCID: PMC7885211 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04610-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus affects the lower respiratory tract in cats worldwide. As infections may lead to chronic respiratory changes or even death, preventive treatment in cats with outdoor access is warranted. Methods The preventive efficacy of a spot-on solution (Bravecto® Plus spot-on solution for cats, MSD) against cat aelurostrongylosis was evaluated using three different preventive treatment regimes in a negative controlled, randomized and partially blinded laboratory efficacy study with 31 purposed-bred cats. The minimum recommended dose of 2.0 mg moxidectin + 40 mg fluralaner/kg bodyweight was applied once 12 (Group [G]1), 8 (G2) or 4 (G3) weeks before experimental infection with 300 third-stage larvae (L3) of A. abstrusus. Another group served as untreated control (G4). Individual faecal samples were analysed as of day 30 post infection (pi) to monitor larvae excretion. Necropsy was performed at days 47–50 pi. The lungs were examined macroscopically for pathological findings and (pre-)adult worms were counted to assess preventive efficacy. Results Beginning at day 32–40 pi, all cats of the control group were constantly shedding larvae of A. abstrusus, whereas only one animal of G1 excreted larvae at several consecutive days. In addition, two cats of G1 and G3 and three of G2 were positive on a single occasion. The geometric mean (GM) of the maximum number of excreted larvae was 7574.29 in the control group compared to 1.10 (G1), 1.19 (G2) and 0.53 (G3), resulting in a GM reduction of > 99.9% in all treatment groups. All lungs of the control animals showed severe or very severe alterations at necropsy, while in 94.44% of the treated cats lung pathology was rated as absent or mild. The GM number of (pre-)adult A. abstrusus retrieved from the lungs was 26.57 in the control group, 0.09 in G1 and 0.00 in G2 and G3. Thus, GM worm count reduction was 99.66% in G1 and 100% in G2 and G3. Conclusions A single application of Bravecto® Plus spot-on solution at a dose of 2.0 mg moxidectin + 40 mg fluralaner/kg bodyweight reliably prevents cat aelurostrongylosis for at least 12 weeks.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Raue
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Nadja Rohdich
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Schwabenheim, Germany
| | - Daniela Hauck
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Eva Zschiesche
- MSD Animal Health Innovation GmbH, Schwabenheim, Germany
| | - Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | | | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany.
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Morelli S, Diakou A, Di Cesare A, Schnyder M, Colombo M, Strube C, Dimzas D, Latino R, Traversa D. Feline lungworms in Greece: copromicroscopic, molecular and serological study. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:2877-2883. [PMID: 32748040 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06839-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) causes verminous pneumonia in cats worldwide. This study evaluated the seroprevalence of A. abstrusus antibodies in 220 stray and free-roaming cats from insular (Mykonos, Crete, Skopelos) and continental (Thessaloniki, Attica) Greece. The results were compared with morphological and biomolecular identification of first-stage larvae (L1) in faeces. Positive cats were observed in all 5 areas: 13/97 (13.4%), 1/32 (3.1%), 7/26 (26.9%), 3/18 (16.7%) and 5/47 (10.6%) cats tested positive for A. abstrusus L1 by Baermann examination, and 33/97 (34.0%), 7/32 (21.9%), 6/26 (23.1%), 3/18 (16.7%) and 11/47 (23.4%) were seropositive, in Mykonos, Crete, Skopelos, Thessaloniki and Attica, respectively. Troglostrongylus brevior L1 were found in 12/97 (12.4%), 3/26 (11.5%) and 2/47 (4.3%) cats from Mykonos, Skopelos and Attica respectively. Six of the 220 cats (2.7%), i.e. 4/97 (4.1%) from Mykonos and 2/26 (7.7%) from Skopelos, shed L1 of both A. abstrusus and T. brevior. Sixty samples were ELISA-positive (27.3%, 95% CI: 21.5-33.7%), of which 21 (35%) tested copromicroscopically positive (19 monospecific infections and 2 mixed with Troglostrongylus brevior), and 5 were positive for T. brevior L1 only. Among seronegative cats (n = 140), L1 of A. abstrusus were additionally detected in 8 (5.7% out of 140) cats (i.e. 4 monospecific infections and 4 mixed with T. brevior), and in 6 (4.3% out of 140) cats, L1 of T. brevior as monospecific infection were detected. This study confirms the presence of lungworms in Greece and suggests that the number of cats infected with/exposed to metastrongylids is higher than detected by faecal examinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Morelli
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Anastasia Diakou
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Mariasole Colombo
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hanover, Germany
| | - Dimitris Dimzas
- Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ramona Latino
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc, 64100, Teramo, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Località Piano D'Accio snc, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
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