Difference between revisions of "Aelurostrongylosis"

Revision as of 15:15, 2 August 2011

Introduction

Aelurostrongylosis is the disease caused by the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which is found in many parts of Europe, the USA and Australia.

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 by prevention of hunting by cats.

References

Merck and Co (2008) Merck veterinary Manual Merial

Bowman, D. (2002) Feline Clinical Parasitology Wiley-Blackwell

[Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 Caused by: [[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.
-*Often asymptomatic; serious respiratory problems usually due to deficient immunity.
+==Clinical signs==
-*Prognosis poor.
+The disease is often '''asymptomatic''', and serious respiratory problems usually occur due to a deficient immunity, following FIV infection for example.
-*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.
+Respiratory signs are usually '''progressive and worstening'''. Heavy infections can cause '''severe bronchopneumonia''', with cats presenting with '''open-mouth breathing''' and abdominal effort.
-Fenbendazole is licensed for treatment.
+There might also be '''coughing and sneezing''' and systemic signs such as '''anorexia, lethargy and wasting'''.
-*Live in lung parenchyma and [[Bronchitis#Infectious causes of bronchitis or bronchiolitis|small bronchioles]]
+==Diagnosis==
-*Grossly:
+'''Radiography''' may reveal a diffuse interstitial pattern with focal peribronchial densities. An alveolar pattern may appear in severe cases.
-**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
+'''Bronchial lavage''' may reveal characteristic coiled larvae with an undulating tail and spine and eosinophilic inflammation.
-[[Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections]][[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]]
+'''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 by prevention of hunting by cats.
+==References==
+Merck and Co (2008) '''Merck veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''
+Bowman, D. (2002) '''Feline Clinical Parasitology''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''
+[[Category:To Do - Helen]]
+[[Category:To Do - Review]]
+[Category:Respiratory Parasitic Infections]][[Category:Respiratory Diseases - Cat]]