Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
Also known as: Cat lungworm Causes: Aelurostrongylosis
| Aelurostrongylus abstrusus | |
|---|---|
| Class | Nematoda |
| Super-family | Metastrongyloidea |
| Family | Angiostrongylidae |
| Species | Aelurostrongylus abstrusus |
Introduction
Aelurostrongylosis is the disease caused by the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which is found in many parts of Europe, the USA and Australia.
Hosts
Intermediate hosts: Molluscs, including snails and slugs, as well as paratenic hosts, including rodents, birds, amphibians, and reptiles.
Definitive host: Cat.
Identification
A. abstrusus are small parasites of the family Angiostrongylidae, measuring around 1cm in length. The worms are long and thing, and the male has a bursa, but it is small and poorly developed.
Life Cycle
This is an indirect lifecyle, involving two intermediate hosts, and a definitive host. The female is ovo-viviparous, and passes L1 within the host faeces. The L1 then infect the molluscs, and later develop into L2, then infective L3. The paratenic host ingests the molluscs. The cat, acting as the definitive host then ingests the L3, and becomes infected with the parasite.
The larvae then travel to the lungs via the lymphatic system or the bloodstream. These can be seen as nodules on the lungs. They then hatch out, and are coughed up and swallowed. The parasite enters the alimentary tract, and is passed out in the faeces.
The parasite affects pulmonary parenchyma and causes aelurostrongylosis.
Clinical Signs
The disease is often asymptomatic, and serious respiratory problems usually occur due to a deficient immunity, following FIV infection for example.
Respiratory signs are usually progressive and worstening. Heavy infections can cause severe bronchopneumonia, with cats presenting with open-mouth breathing and abdominal effort.
There might also be coughing and sneezing and systemic signs such as anorexia, lethargy and wasting.
Diagnosis
Radiography may reveal a diffuse interstitial pattern with focal peribronchial densities. An alveolar pattern may appear in severe cases.
Bronchial lavage may reveal characteristic coiled larvae with an undulating tail and spine and eosinophilic inflammation.
Haematology may reveal eosinophilia.
Post mortem examination may reveal greenish nodules in the lungs.
Microscopically, eggs and larvae in the alveolar spaces cause a foreign body type reaction (surrounded by mononuclear cells and giant cells). There is submucosal gland hypertrophy and smooth muscle hypertrophy in airway and vessel walls.
Treatment and Prevention
Treatment is difficult and not often necessary unless the cat is showing clinical signs, as the disease is usually self-limiting.
Fenbendazole for 21 consecutive days is usually effective. Ivermectin has also been used in some cases.
Control is only by prevention of hunting by cats.
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References
Merck and Co (2008) Merck veterinary Manual Merial
Bowman, D. (2002) Feline Clinical Parasitology Wiley-Blackwell
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