A Molecular Survey on Neglected Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile

Abstract

Gurltia paralysans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus are neglected metastrongyloid nematode species which infect domestic and wild cats in South American countries and in Chile, but no epidemiological studies on concomitant infections have been conducted in Chile so far. The aim of this study was not only to evaluate the occurrence of concomitant infections, but also to identify epidemiological risk factors associated with of G. paralysans and A. abstrusus infections in urban domestic cats (Felis catus) from Southern Chile. Blood samples from clinically healthy domestic cats from three cities of Southern Chile—Temuco, Valdivia, and Puerto Montt—were analyzed by an experimental semi-nested PCR protocol. A total of 171 apparently healthy domestic cats in Temuco (n = 68), Valdivia (n = 50), and Puerto Montt (n = 53) were sampled and analyzed. A total of 93 domestic cats (54.4%) were positive for G. paralysans, and 34 (19.9%) were positive for A. abstrusus infections. From those animals, 34 (19.9%) were co-infected. Cats positive with G. paralysans were found in all three cities; 47.2% in Puerto Montt, 48% in Valdivia, and 64.7% in Temuco. Levels of infection for A. abstrusus in the population under study were 4% (Valdivia), 10% (Puerto Montt), and 32.4% (Temuco). The present large-scale epidemiological study confirmed the presence of these neglected nematodes in domestic cat populations in Southern Chile, and described the possible risk factors associated with feline gurltiosis and aelurostrongylosis.

The Neglected Angio-Neurotrophic Parasite Gurltia paralysans (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae): Northernmost South American Distribution, Current Knowledge, and Future Perspectives

“…As a result, a climate analysis could provide epidemiological insights into the ecoepidemiology of G. paralysans. In accordance with the Köppen-Geiger climate classification, the parasite shows great adaptation to different thermal floors and climates because the nematode has been identified in domestic and wild felids located in tropical rainforest (Af), savanna (Aw), hot semi-arid (BSh), humid subtropical (Cfa), oceanic (Cfb), warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb), and tundra (ET) climates [15,32,33,44,45] (Figure 2). Thus, confirmed gurltiosis cases have been reported in tropical, arid (dry), and temperate climates, showing a considerable climatic tolerance.…”

“…In South America, the mean age of feline gurltiosis reported cases was 2.5 years old. A descriptive molecular epidemiology study from a total of 93 domestic cats located in urban areas of Southern Chile, where 54.4% of the studied animals were G. paralysanspositive, showed the feasible transmission of parasite among domestic cat populations in urban environments and proposed that predictors such as age, sex, lifestyle (indoor/outdoor), anthelmintic use, and cat hunting behavior should be considered as potential risk factors associated with this angio-neurotrophic parasite infection [15]. Thus, those risk factors should be considered in rural, suburban, and urban areas from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Spain, and Uruguay, where G. paralysans-positive domestic cat cases have been confirmed.…”

“…Nevertheless, to date, it has not been possible to identify G. paralysans-DNA in fecal samples with any coproparasitological tests, so it is alternatively recommended to use serum or CSF samples [43]. Preliminary analysis also indicates the presence of G. paralysans DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage, but it has not yet been validated [15]. Some primers used to determine the presence of G. paralysans DNA are listed in Table 2.…”

“…The parasite has been reported in other wild felids such as the margay (Leopardus wiedii) [20]. Moreover, the Goeffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) and the northern tiger cat (Leopardus triginus) have also been proposed as potential native final hosts [15,21].…”

“…Additionally, Gurltia paralysans is a rare metastrongyloid nematode in South America that has begun to gain relevance in feline internal medicine as a differential diagnosis of progressive degenerative myelopathy disorders. However, it is still neglected and underestimated [15]. This angio-neurotrophic nematode is infrequently described, often unnoticed, and out of the diagnostic scope of even specialist veterinary clinicians, similarly to other neglected parasitoses [16,17].…”