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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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Arango M, Delgado-Serra S, Haines LR, Paredes-Esquivel C. Improving the detection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the brain tissues of mammalian hosts. Acta Trop 2023; 242:106917. [PMID: 37011831 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Angiostrongylus cantonensis is an invasive nematode parasite that causes eosinophilic meningitis in many vertebrate hosts, including humans. This parasite is spreading rapidly through the six continents, with Europe being the final frontier. Sentinel surveillance may be a cost-effective strategy to monitor the pathogen's arrival to new geographical regions. Necropsy, followed by tissue digestion, is often used to recover helminth parasites from vertebrate host tissues, however, to detect brain parasites, this protocol is poorly utilized. Our brain digestion protocol is easily performed and 1) reduces false positivity and negativity, 2) provides accurate estimates of parasite burden and 3) helps establish a more precise prevalence. Early detection of A. cantonensis increases the efficacy of prevention, treatment, and disease control strategies for susceptible animal populations and humans.
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Izquierdo-Rodriguez E, Anettová L, Hrazdilová K, Foronda P, Modrý D. Range of metastrongylids (superfamily Metastrongyloidea) of public health and veterinary concern present in livers of the endemic lizard Gallotia galloti of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:81. [PMID: 36890511 PMCID: PMC9997015 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05653-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endemic lizards of the genus Gallotia are of high ecological value to the terrestrial ecosystem of the archipelago of the Canary Islands, being potent seed spreaders as well as an important component of the diet of other vertebrates. The endemic lizard Gallotia galloti in Tenerife has recently been reported to be a paratenic host of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, an invasive metastrongylid with zoonotic potential that is associated with rats as definitive hosts. However, microscopic examination of G. galloti tissue samples also revealed the presence of other metastrongylid larvae inside granulomas on the liver of this reptile. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of helminths other than A. cantonensis in tissues of G. galloti from Tenerife. METHODS A multiplex-nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 was designed that enabled the species-specific detection of A. cantonensis, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Crenosoma striatum and Crenosoma vulpis. Liver samples from 39 G. galloti were analysed. RESULTS Five metastrongylids were detected: A. cantonensis (15.4% of samples analysed), A. vasorum (5.1%), Ae. abstrusus (30.8%), C. striatum (30.8%) and undetermined metastrongylid sequences (12.8%). Co-infection was highly prevalent among the lizards which tested positive. CONCLUSIONS The study provides a new specific tool for the simultaneous detection of a range of metastrongylids of veterinary importance as well as new data on the circulation of metastrongylids in an ecosystem dominated by lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Izquierdo-Rodriguez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.,Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Lagunas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Lucia Anettová
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Hrazdilová
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemědělská 1665/1, Brno, Czech Republic.,Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Biomedical Center, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Plzeň, Czech Republic
| | - Pilar Foronda
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain. .,Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de La Lagunas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
| | - David Modrý
- Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.,Institute of Parasitology, Biology Center of Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources (CINeZ), Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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Felid Cardiopulmonary Nematodes: Dilemmas Solved and New Questions Posed. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10010030. [PMID: 33401704 PMCID: PMC7824321 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10010030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past decade cardiopulmonary nematodes affecting felids have become a core research topic in small animal parasitology. In the late 2000s, an increase in studies was followed by unexpected findings in the early 2010s, which have stimulated research teams to start investigating these intriguing parasites. Prolific scientific debate and exchanges have then fostered field and laboratory studies and epi-zootiological surveys. New data have improved basic and applied knowledge, solved dilemmas and posed new questions. This article discusses the past and present background to felid cardiopulmonary nematodes after the last few years of intense scientific research. New data which have demonstrated the key role of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in causing respiratory infections in domestic cats, and on the nil to negligible current importance of other species, i.e., Troglostrongylus subcrenatus, Oslerus rostratus and Angiostrongylus chabaudi, are presented. Biological information and hypothesized alternative routes of infection are analysed and discussed. Novel identification and taxonomical data and issues are reported and commented upon. On the whole, recent biological, ecological and epi-zootiological information on felid meta-strongyloids is critically analysed, with the aim to answer outstanding questions, stimulate future studies, and underline new research perspectives.
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Bezerra-Santos MA, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Abramo F, Lia RP, Tarallo VD, Salant H, Brianti E, Baneth G, Otranto D. Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior feline lungworm: a lesson from our gardens. Vet Parasitol 2020; 285:109215. [PMID: 32862125 PMCID: PMC7428694 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Transmammary transmission of Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats is suggested. Snails, rats and lizards play a role in the epidemiology of this feline lungworm. Observational parasitology is important in studying events that may occur in small ecological niches around us.
Feline lungworms such as Aerulostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are snail-borne pathogens causing respiratory disease in domestic cats. Paratenic hosts such as rodents and reptiles have also been implicated in the epidemiology of these parasites. Although A. abstrusus has been recognized for a long time as the most prevalent lungworm among cats worldwide, T. brevior is of major concern in kittens. Bearing in mind that disease due to T. brevior occurs mainly in pediatric patients younger than 6 months of age, the diagnosis of this parasite in two kittens presenting severe respiratory disease from the garden of one of the authors inspired us to investigate the potential routes of transmission for T. brevior in domestic cats. Of the three queens (A, B and C) that delivered kittens (n = 8), only cat A was positive for T. brevior, presenting her two kittens severe respiratory clinical signs, which lead to the exitus in one of them, 18 days of age. In addition, three kittens, the offspring of queen B, turned to be positive at the coprological examination after suckling from queen A, whereas those from queen C (that suckled only on their own mother) remained negative. A series of coprological, histological and molecular tests were conducted to confirm the presence of T. brevior in the patients as well as in the other cats cohabiting the same garden. Adult nematodes were retrieved from the trachea and bronchi of the dead kitten (kitten 1A), and larvae at the histology of the lung and liver parenchyma associated with bronco pneumonitis and lymphocytic pericholangitis, respectively. Cornu aspersum (n = 60), Eobania vermiculata (n = 30) snails (intermediate hosts) as well as lizards and rats (potential paratenic hosts) were collected from the same garden and processed through tissue digestion and molecular detection. Troglostrongylus brevior larvae were recovered through tissue digestion from two C. aspersum (3.33 %) and it was confirmed by PCR-sequencing approach, which also detected T. brevior DNA in the liver and lungs of one rat and in the coelomatic cavity of one gecko lizard. During the COVID-19 lockdown, when scientists spent more time at home, we grasp the opportunity to decipher T. brevior biology and ecology starting in a small ecological niche, such as the garden of our house. Data herein presented led us to suggest: i) the transmammary transmission of T. brevior in domestic cats; ii) the role of intermediate and paratenic hosts (including reptiles) in the epidemiology of the infection which they transmit; as well as iii) the importance of observational parasitology in studying any event that certainly occurs in small ecological niches, as it could be in our home gardens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Francesca Abramo
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | | | - Harold Salant
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Gad Baneth
- Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy; Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.
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Deak G, Gherman CM, Ionică AM, Péter Á, Sándor DA, Mihalca AD. Biotic and abiotic factors influencing the prevalence, intensity and distribution of Eucoleus aerophilus and Crenosoma vulpis in red foxes, Vulpes vulpes from Romania. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2020; 12:121-125. [PMID: 32547917 PMCID: PMC7286923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 05/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To understand the importance of host’ habitat choice in determining parasite burden, we studied the distribution of two helminth parasites of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in south-eastern Europe (Romania): Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus, both widely distributed respiratory nematodes parasitic in various carnivores. Even though the life cycle and biology of the two nematodes follow a different pattern, both parasites appear to be co-distributed and often co-infect foxes with variable prevalences across their range. Between July 2016 and August 2018, 550 red foxes, V. vulpes were collected by hunters in different localities from 22 counties of Romania and examined by necropsy. All parasites found in the trachea and bronchial system were collected and preserved in 70% ethanol. We characterised red fox/parasite habitats using seven predictors (fragmentation, altitude, presence/absence of water surface, per cent cover of arable land/grassland/urbanized areas/forest cover/wetlands). Prevalence, abundance, intensity, and sex ratio were calculated and statistically analysed using the R software. Out of the 550 examined foxes, 76.2% were infected with lungworms. The overall prevalence was 32.0% for C. vulpis and 72.5% for E. aerophilus. The mean intensity of infection was 13.70 for C. vulpis 6.15 for E. aerophilus. For both nematodes, the prevalence was significantly higher in males than in females, and there was no influence of hosts’ age. No statistical differences were found for intensity and mean intensity in the case of infection with C. vulpis and E. aerophilus between age and sex categories. The abundance of C. vulpis showed a strong positive relationship with the presence of wetlands and habitat fragmentation. We found a significant correlation between the abundance of E. aerophilus and altitude, with foxes from higher elevations showing higher prevalences. Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus are widely distributed respiratory nematodes. Prevalence, abundance, intensity were calculated and statistically analysed using R software Grs. There was a significant correlation between the abundance of E. aerophilus and altitude. The abundance of C. vulpis showed a strong positive relationship with the presence of wetland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgiana Deak
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Călin Mircea Gherman
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Biology and Veterinary Parasitology Unit (CDS 9), "Regele Mihai I al României" Life Science Institute, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, 400372, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Áron Péter
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - D Attila Sándor
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.,Department of Parasitology and Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, István u. 2, 1078, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Calea Mănăștur 3-5, 400372, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Peng ZW, Ning Y, Liu D, Sun Y, Wang LX, Zhai QA, Hou ZJ, Chai HL, Jiang GS. Ascarid infection in wild Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in China. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:86. [PMID: 32156273 PMCID: PMC7063752 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wild Amur tigers are a sparsely populated species, and the conservation of this species is of great concern worldwide, but as an important health risk factor, parasite infection in them is not fully understanding. RESULTS In this study, sixty-two faecal samples were collected to investigate the frequency and infection intensity of Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina in wild Amur tigers. The T. cati and T. leonina eggs were preliminary identified by microscopy, and confirmed by molecular techniques. Infection intensity was determined by the modified McMaster technique. Phylogenetic trees demonstrated that T. cati of wild Amur tiger had a closer relationship with which of other wild felines than that of domestic cats. T. leonina of Amur tiger and other felines clustered into one clade, showing a closer relationship than canines. The average frequency of T. cati was 77.42% (48/62), and the frequency in 2016 (100%) were higher than those in 2013 (P = 0.051, < 0.1; 66.6%) and 2014 (P = 0.079, < 0.1; 72.2%). The infection intensity of T. cati ranged from 316.6 n/g to 1084.1 n/g. For T. leonina, only three samples presented eggs when the saturated sodium chloride floating method was performed, indicating that the frequency is 4.83% (3/62). Unfortunately, the egg number in faecal smears is lower than the detective limitation, so the infection intensity of T. leonina is missed. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that ascarids are broadly prevalent, and T. cati is a dominant parasite species in the wild Amur tiger population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Wei Peng
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Yao Ning
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Amur Tiger Pk, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ying Sun
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Li-Xin Wang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Qi-An Zhai
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
| | - Zhi-Jun Hou
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Hong-Liang Chai
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
| | - Guang-Shun Jiang
- College of Wildlife and Protected Area, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China.
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Heuer L, Petry G, Pollmeier M, Schaper R, Deuster K, Schmidt H, Blazejak K, Strube C, Di Cesare A, Traversa D, Schnyder M, McKay-Demeler J, von Samson-Himmelstjerna G, Mangold-Gehring S, Böhm C. Efficacy of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% spot-on formulation (Advocate®) in the prevention and treatment of feline aelurostrongylosis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:65. [PMID: 32051008 PMCID: PMC7017503 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3937-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In three randomized, controlled laboratory efficacy studies, the efficacy in the prevention of patent infections of a topical combination of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% (Advocate® spot-on formulation for cats, Bayer Animal Health GmbH) against larval stages and immature adults of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, as well as the treatment efficacy of a single or three monthly treatments against adult A. abstrusus, were evaluated. Methods Cats were experimentally inoculated with 300–800 third-stage larvae (L3). Each group comprised 8 animals and the treatment dose was 10 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) imidacloprid and 1 mg/kg bw moxidectin in each study. Prevention of the establishment of patent infections was evaluated by two treatments at a monthly interval at three different time points before and after challenge infection. Curative efficacy was tested by one or three treatments after the onset of patency. Worm counts at necropsy were used for efficacy calculations. Results In Study 1, the control group had a geometric mean (GM) of 28.8 adult nematodes and the single treatment group had a GM of 3.4 (efficacy 88.3%). In Study 2, the control group had a GM of 14.3, the prevention group had a GM of 0 (efficacy 100%), while the treatment group had a GM of 0.1 (efficacy 99.4%). In Study 3, the GM worm burden in the control group was 32.6 compared to 0 in all three prevention groups (efficacy 100% for all of those groups). Conclusions The monthly administration of Advocate® reliably eliminated early larval stages and thereby prevented lung damage from and patent infections with A. abstrusus in cats. Regarding treatment, a single application of Advocate® reduced the worm burden, but it did not sufficiently clear the infection. In contrast, three monthly treatments were safe and highly efficacious against A. abstrusus.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Lea Heuer
- Bayer Animal Health GmbH, Leverkusen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Katrin Blazejak
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany
| | - Angela Di Cesare
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Donato Traversa
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Janina McKay-Demeler
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany.,Dawbuts Pty Ltd, Camden, NSW, Australia
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Cavalera MA, Schnyder M, Gueldner EK, Furlanello T, Iatta R, Brianti E, Strube C, Colella V, Otranto D. Serological survey and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in Italy. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2377-2382. [PMID: 31230159 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06373-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Feline lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north (n = 700), the centre (n = 227) and the south (n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5-9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0-9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7-29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area (p < 0.05). The risk of lungworm infection in cats was significantly associated with age less than 6 months (i.e. 24.4%, p < 0.05) and FIV infection (p < 0.05). This large-scale serological survey confirms the exposure of cats to lungworm infections in Italy and that serological tests can be used to assess the distribution of lungworm infections in large populations of animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alfonsa Cavalera
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Manuela Schnyder
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Emily Katharina Gueldner
- Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 266a, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tommaso Furlanello
- San Marco Veterinary Clinic and Laboratory, 35030 Veggiano, Padova, Italy
| | - Roberta Iatta
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università degli Studi di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Christina Strube
- Institute for Parasitology, Centre for Infection Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hanover, Germany
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, 3010 Parkville, Australia
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, 70010 Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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Cavalera MA, Colella V, Napoli E, Arfuso F, Panarese R, Brianti E, Otranto D. Shedding of feline lungworm larvae and their infectivity to snail intermediate hosts after anthelmintic treatment. Int J Parasitol 2019; 49:449-453. [PMID: 30904621 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2018.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior are snail-transmitted helminths causing respiratory diseases in infected cats. The shedding of feline lungworm L1s and their infectivity to the snail intermediate host, after administration of anthelminthic products to cats, are poorly documented. To assess the efficacy of 8.3% fipronil, 10% (S)-methoprene, 0.4% eprinomectin and 8.3% praziquantel (i.e. eprinomectin formulation) and 10% imidacloprid/1% moxidectin (i.e. moxidectin formulation) against these nematodes and to determine the number of days post-treatment until viable L1s are released in the faeces, 384 animals were screened by faecal examination. Of the 54 positive animals (i.e., 14.1%; 7.3% A. abstrusus, 6.2% T. brevior and 0.5% coinfected), 36 were randomly allocated to four groups. Groups A and B were composed of cats positive for T. brevior and treated with the eprinomectin and with the moxidectin formulations, respectively, whereas cats in groups C and D were positive to A. abstrusus and treated with the eprinomectin and the moxidectin formulations, respectively. Prior to and every day after treatment, faecal samples were analysed by the Baermann technique and the number of larvae per gram of faeces determined, and again four weeks after treatment, to assess the efficacy of a single administration of the products. In addition, to evaluate the pre- and post-treatment infectivity of L1s to snail intermediate hosts, one/two snails per cat were infected with 100 L1s collected from the faeces of enrolled animals and then digested 28 days p.i. Based on L1s faecal counts, the efficacy of the eprinomectin and the moxidectin formulations at 28 days was 100% for both A. abstrusus and T. brevior, with a mean number of days of 7.9 ± 1.2 in group A, 7.8 ± 1.9 in B, 6.9 ± 1.6 in C and 8.9 ± 2.0 in D to become negative. Following the artificial digestion, active L3s of T. brevior and A. abstrusus were found in 160 (87.4%) experimentally infected snails. The results of this study demonstrate that a single administration of the two formulations is effective in the treatment of A. abstrusus and T. brevior infections and that during the post-treatment period live L1s are shed for up to 8.9 ± 2.0 days. L1s of both lungworm species released in the faeces after drug administration are still able to reach the infective larval stage in the infected snails. Hence, preventative measures after the treatment of infected animals should include keeping cats indoors and disposal of their faeces for approximately 10 days to avoid environmental contamination and infection of gastropod intermediate hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vito Colella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Ettore Napoli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Francesca Arfuso
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Rossella Panarese
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy
| | - Emanuele Brianti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie, Università di Messina, 98168, Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bari, 70010, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
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