Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Aeurostrongylus abstrusus - Courtesy of the Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine

The cat lungworm - a typical metastrongyloid.
Adults are small (approximately 1cm), and live in the lung parenchyma and small bronchioles.
Life-Cycle:

→ L1 with kinky tail in faeces

→ mollusc intermediate host

→ cat infected either by eating an infected mollusc, or by eating a paratenic host that has eaten an infected mollusc

Infections often asymptomatic, but can cause serious respiratory problems, especially in immunocompromised cats.

Often asymptomatic; serious respiratory problems usually due to deficient immunity.
Prognosis poor.
Post mortem examination reveals greenish nodules in lungs.
Histopathology diferentiates these from tuberculosis.

Fenbendazole is licensed for treatment.

Live in lung parenchyma and small bronchioles
Grossly:
- Firm yellow nodules scattered throughout parenchyma, more frequently at periphery
Microscopically:
- Eggs and larvae in the alveolar spaces cause a foreign body type reaction (surrounded by mononuclear cells and giant cells)
- Submucosal gland hypertrophy and smooth muscle hypertrophy in airway and vessel walls
Associated clinical signs are mild although heavy infestations may -> chronic coughing
The airway eosinophilia which may be detected can be confused with a diagnosis of asthma

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