Feline lungworm Oslerus rostratus (Strongylida: Filaridae) in Italy: first case report and histopathological findings

Abstract

Oslerus rostratus syn. Anafilaroides rostratus (Strongylida: Filaroididae) is a metastrongyloid transmitted by snails, which localizes in peri-bronchial tissues and in the lung parenchyma of wild as well as domestic cats. In Europe, this nematode has been reported only on two occasions, being diagnosed in cats from Majorca Island and in northern Spain. Here, we describe a case of O. rostratus infection in a necropsied 4-year-old cat in Sicily (southern Italy). At the inspection of lungs, slender and greyish nematodes (four females and two males) were found embedded in the peri-bronchial tissues and in the bronchial walls. Parasites were morphological and molecularly identified as O. rostratus, with their 18S sequences being identical among them and showing a high homology (99%) with those available in public databases. At the histology, nematodes were encapsulated in a pseudo-cystic formation surrounded by an interstitial inflammatory process and fibrous tissue. Lung lesions were mainly represented by peri-luminal fibrosis, hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the bronchial mucosa and glands, respectively. This first record of O. rostratus infection from Italy indicates that this parasite should be included in the differential diagnosis of feline of lungworm infection.

Detection of specific antibodies in cats infected with the lung nematode Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

“…have been excluded here in naturally infected cats by molecular analyses; their occurrence actually seems to be restricted to southern European countries Diakou et al, 2015;Jefferies et al, 2010). O. rostratus is a seldom diagnosed parasite (Brianti et al, 2014) and, like Troglostrongylus sp., has not been observed in Switzerland so far. Infections with C. aerophila may occur, as dogs and in particular foxes are frequently infected with this parasite (Hauser et al, 2015;Magi et al, 2015;Saeed et al, 2006).…”

Angiostrongylus vasorum and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus: Neglected and underestimated parasites in South America

“…Concerning the microscopical identification of felid coprological samples, it is mandatory to take into account the possible findings of Troglostrongylus brevior , T. subcrenatus [ 19 , 113 ], Oslerus rostratus [ 19 , 114 – 116 ], Strongyloides stercolaris [ 4 ], Angiostrongylus chabaudi [ 117 ], and Angiostrongylus felineus (recently discovered and described but only with adult stages in Puma yagouaroundi from Brazil; this is the reason why its L1 morphological description is lacking) [ 118 ]. Troglostrongylus brevior , T. subcrenatus , A. chabaudi and O. rostratus have been infrequently reported mainly in wild felids from Europe but not in South America [ 113 , 116 , 117 ]. Additionally, the existence of new metastrongyloid related species in a mega-biodiverse region such as South America could not be rejected and should be contemplated in future studies.…”

Troglostrongylus brevior: a new parasite for Romania

“…Among them, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida: Angiostrongylidae) has been considered for a long time to be the only metastrongyloid species parasitic in bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli of felids [ 1 ]. However, other species, such as Troglostrongylus brevior , T. subcrenatus (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) and Oslerus rostratus (Strongylida: Filaroididae) have been reported more recently to cause respiratory diseases in cats [ 2 – 4 ]. The genus Troglostrongylus includes nematodes infecting domestic cats ( Felis silvestris catus ), wildcats ( Felis silvestris silvestris , Felis silvestris lybica ), leopards ( Panthera pardus ), tigers ( Panthera tigris ) and bobcats ( Lynx rufus ) [ 3 ].…”