Aelurostrongylosis

Caused by: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

• 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.

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

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