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Also known as: '''''French Heartworm  

Also known as: '''''French Heartworm  

<p>Do not confuse with: Heartworm caused by ''[[Dirofilaria immitis]]''</p>

<p>Do not confuse with: Heartworm caused by ''[[Dirofilaria immitis]]''</p>

Angiostrongylosis is a clinical syndrome of dogs caused by infection with ''[[Angiostrongylus vasorum]]'', the 'French heartworm' or 'lungworm'.  The adult worms accumulate in the pulmonary arterial vessels and right heart chambers and release eggs and larvae into the pulmonary circulation.  The adult worms obstruct blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature and lead to the development of pulmonary undercirculation, right ventricular hypertrophy and [[Cor Pulmonale|cor pulmonale]].  The adults also cause local pulmonary arteritis and [[Thrombosis|thrombi]] are able to form against the inflamed vessel wall.   

Angiostrongylosis is a clinical syndrome of dogs caused by infection with ''[[Angiostrongylus vasorum]]'', the 'French heartworm' or 'lungworm'.  The adult worms accumulate in the pulmonary arterial vessels and right heart chambers and release eggs and larvae into the pulmonary circulation.  The adult worms obstruct blood flow through the pulmonary vasculature and lead to the development of pulmonary undercirculation, right ventricular hypertrophy and [[Cor Pulmonale|cor pulmonale]].  The adults also cause local pulmonary arteritis and [[Thrombosis|thrombi]] are able to form against the inflamed vessel wall.   

The eggs lodge in the small pulmonary capillaries and the L1 larvae hatch at this location.  These larvae penetrate the capillaries and enter the pulmonary parenchyma to cause an [[Lungs_Inflammatory_-_Pathology#Interstitial_pneumonia|interstitial pneumonia]].  This pneumonia is the major cause of the respiratory signs observed in infested animals but, in severely affected animals, [[Pulmonary Oedema|pulmonary oedema]] may also develop.  By an unknown mechanism, the presence of infection reduces the blood concentrations of [[Normal_Mechanisms_of_Haemostatic_Control#Coagulation_physiology|factors V and VIII]] and causes [[Thrombocytopaenia#Thrombocytopathia|thrombocytopathia]] and [[Thrombocytopaenia#Thrombocytopaenia|thrombocytopaenia]].  Affected animals therefore often suffer from some form of coagulopathy.

The eggs lodge in the small pulmonary capillaries and the L1 larvae hatch at this location.  These larvae penetrate the capillaries and enter the pulmonary parenchyma to cause an [[Interstitial Pneumonia|interstitial pneumonia]].  This pneumonia is the major cause of the respiratory signs observed in infested animals but, in severely affected animals, [[Pulmonary Oedema|pulmonary oedema]] may also develop.  By an unknown mechanism, the presence of infection reduces the blood concentrations of [[Normal_Mechanisms_of_Haemostatic_Control#Coagulation_physiology|factors V and VIII]] and causes [[Thrombocytopaenia#Thrombocytopathia|thrombocytopathia]] and [[Thrombocytopaenia#Thrombocytopaenia|thrombocytopaenia]].  Affected animals therefore often suffer from some form of coagulopathy.

==Signalment==

==Signalment==

*A soft productive '''moist cough'''

*A soft productive '''moist cough'''

*In severe cases, dyspnoea and tachypnoea may be observed

*In severe cases, dyspnoea and tachypnoea may be observed

*'''Sudden-onset dyspnoea''' and collapse may occur in animals with [[Lungs Circulatory - Pathology#Embolism, thrombosis and infarction|pulmonary thromboembolism]]

*'''Sudden-onset dyspnoea''' and collapse may occur in animals with [[Pulmonary Embolism, Thrombosis and Infarction|pulmonary thromboembolism]]

'''Right-sided congestive [[:Category:Heart Failure|heart failure]], manifesting as:'''

'''Right-sided congestive [[:Category:Heart Failure|heart failure]], manifesting as:'''

'''Fructosamine''' concentration may be low in cases of ''A. vasorum'' infection and this finding may prompt examination of a faecal sample<ref name="one">nothing</ref><ref>Willesen JL, Jensen AL, Kristensen AT, Kjelgaard-Hansen M, Jessen R, Koch J. '''Serum fructosamine concentrations in 59 dogs naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.''' ''J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2006 Jun;53(5):266-9.''</ref>.

'''Fructosamine''' concentration may be low in cases of ''A. vasorum'' infection and this finding may prompt examination of a faecal sample<ref name="one">nothing</ref><ref>Willesen JL, Jensen AL, Kristensen AT, Kjelgaard-Hansen M, Jessen R, Koch J. '''Serum fructosamine concentrations in 59 dogs naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum.''' ''J Vet Med A Physiol Pathol Clin Med. 2006 Jun;53(5):266-9.''</ref>.

'''Coagulation times''' may be prolonged due to the consumptive coagulopathy.

[[Coagulation Tests|'''Coagulation times''']] may be prolonged due to the consumptive coagulopathy.

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Other Tests===

===Other Tests===

The gold standard test is considered to be identification of L1 larvae in faeces.  At least five faecal samples should be submitted for examination by the Baermann technique as excretion of the larvae is variable<ref>McGarry JW, Morgan ER. '''Identification of first-stage larvae of metastrongyles from dogs.''' ''Vet Rec. 2009 Aug 29;165(9):258-61.''</ref><ref>Humm K, Adamantos S. '''Is evaluation of a faecal smear a useful technique in the diagnosis of canine pulmonary angiostrongylosis?''' ''J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Apr;51(4):200-3. Epub 2010 Mar 1.''</ref>.

The '''gold standard test is considered to be identification of L1 larvae in faeces'''.  At least five faecal samples should be submitted for examination by the Baermann technique as excretion of the larvae is variable<ref>McGarry JW, Morgan ER. '''Identification of first-stage larvae of metastrongyles from dogs.''' ''Vet Rec. 2009 Aug 29;165(9):258-61.''</ref><ref>Humm K, Adamantos S. '''Is evaluation of a faecal smear a useful technique in the diagnosis of canine pulmonary angiostrongylosis?''' ''J Small Anim Pract. 2010 Apr;51(4):200-3. Epub 2010 Mar 1.''</ref>.

===Pathology===

===Pathology===

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Animals affected by clinical disease may become severely ill but, if the infection is cleared, they usually suffer few sequelae.

Animals affected by clinical disease may become severely ill but, if the infection is cleared, they usually suffer few adverse consequences.

[[File:CABI logo.jpg|left|90px]]

|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=Angiostrongylosis&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=51&y=5&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Angiostrongylosis publications]

[http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=Angiostrongylosis&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=51&y=5&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all Angiostrongylosis publications]

==References==

==References==

<references/>

<references/>

[[Category:Dog]][[Category:Cardiovascular_System_-_Vascular_Pathology]][[Category:Arterial_Pathology]]

 

 

[[Category:Cardiovascular Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Lymphoreticular and Haematopoietic Diseases - Dog]][[Category:Cardiovascular_System_-_Vascular_Pathology]][[Category:Arterial_Pathology]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Respiratory_Parasitic_Infections]]

[[Category:Respiratory_Parasitic_Infections]]

[[Category:Coagulation Defects]]

[[Category:Coagulation Defects]]