First case of a natural infection in a domestic cat (Felis catus) with the canid heart worm Angiostrongylus vasorum

Gueldner, Emily Katharina; Schuppisser, Carole; Borel, Nicole; Hilbe, Monika; Schnyder, Manuela

doi:10.1016/j.vprsr.2019.100342

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Reading of the test was performed strictly at 15 min after reactions. Results were semi-quantitatively evaluated based on the color intensity (+ = slight but visible coloration, ++ = good visible coloration, +++ = intensive coloration), according to results previously reported [16]. Additionally, cats were also screened through a coprological examination through the Baermann funnel migration technique for the detection of various metastrongyloid first-stage larvae (L1).…”

Section: Cat Sera and Serologic Essaymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A. vasorum is another metastrongyloid nematode which inhabits the right ventricle and pulmonary vasculature in domestic dogs (Canis familiaris), wolves (Canis lupus) [12], golden jackals (Canis vulpes) [13] and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) [14] producing respiratory distress, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and/or CNS hemorrhages [15]. Recently, a natural infection of A. vasorum of in a domestic cat (Felis catus) was reported [16]. A rapid diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis can be obtained by the use of the Angio Detect TM ® (IDEXX laboratories Inc.) serological test, which detects circulating antigens produced by A. vasorum [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Intra Vitam Diagnosis of Neglected Gurltia paralysans Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) by a Commercial Serology Test for Canine Angiostrongylosis and Insights into Clinical and Histopathological Findings—Four-Case Report

et al. 2020

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Gurltia paralysans is a metastrongyloid nematode which belongs to the Angiostrongylidae family and presents tropism for veins of the subarachnoid space in vivo of domestic and wild felids causing a progressive and chronic clinical manifestation of paraparesis/paraplegia. The geographic distribution of G. paralysans includes rural and periurban areas of South America and was recently reported in Europe. To date, a definitive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis is still conducted by post-mortem examination of the spinal cord in affected animals. A presumptive diagnosis of feline gurltiosis can also be achieved based on data of compatible clinical signs and associated epidemiological risk factors. The aim of this preliminary study was to evaluate the commercial serological test Angio Detect TM® (IDEXX Laboratories) as a possible diagnostic method of feline gurltiosis in vivo. For the study, 10 domestic felines (Felis catus) which originated from a high endemic area of Southern Chile, were analyzed. All felines presented chronic paraparesis or severe paraplegia. Subsequently, commercial Angio Detect TM® serological tests for the detection of closely related Angiostrongylus vasorum in canids were performed according to manufacturer's instructions. Conducted serological tests were positive in seven of ten felines showing paraplegia/paraparesis and presumably infected with G. paralysans, and four of them were additionally necropsied, and presented macroscopic findings compatible with feline gurltiosis. Furthermore, the presence of adult female and male G. paralysans specimens at the level of the subarachnoid vasculature in affected spinal cord segments were observed during necropsy. Histopathology demonstrated severe eosinophilic meningomyelitis, coagulopathies with thrombosis in G. paralysans-parasitized leptomeningeal veins. Results of this preliminary study suggest a cross-reaction between A. vasorum-specific antigens, which also parasitize blood vessels in vivo, and G. paralysans when using an Angio Detect TM® test, which suggests its helpful use as a new diagnostic method for feline gurltiosis in live domestic felines. Additional specific antigen research will be required in order to better understand the sensitivity and specificity of A. vasorum antigens used in this test and for existing cross-reactivity with G. paralysans-derived antigens for future a suitable intra vitam immunodiagnosis of neglected feline gurltiosis.

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Section: Cat Sera and Serologic Essaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intra Vitam Diagnosis of Neglected Gurltia paralysans Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) by a Commercial Serology Test for Canine Angiostrongylosis and Insights into Clinical and Histopathological Findings—Four-Case Report

et al. 2020

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“…This is supported by the fact that all cats of both G1 and G2 scored negative for Angiostrongylus spp., other than the Angio Detect TM test, also at the molecular analysis for A. chabaudi, which seems to be the major Angiostrongylus infecting felines. Nonetheless, it should be considered that the antigens detectable with this rapid assay are produced by adult Angiostrongylus worms (23,26) and that A. chabaudi and A. vasorum are most probably unable to reach adulthood producing detectable antigens in domestic cats (8,9,19). Indeed, a nematode found in a pulmonary artery of a domestic cat, whose section size and content were suggestive of an adult stage, was identified as A. vasorum at PCR analysis despite the cat scored negative at the Angio Detect TM test (19).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nonetheless, it should be considered that the antigens detectable with this rapid assay are produced by adult Angiostrongylus worms (23,26) and that A. chabaudi and A. vasorum are most probably unable to reach adulthood producing detectable antigens in domestic cats (8,9,19). Indeed, a nematode found in a pulmonary artery of a domestic cat, whose section size and content were suggestive of an adult stage, was identified as A. vasorum at PCR analysis despite the cat scored negative at the Angio Detect TM test (19). Such negativity could be due to different reasons, including a <100% sensitivity of the test (25) or to the fact that the first antigens are detectable 9 weeks postinfection (23).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The clinical importance of angiostrongylosis caused by A. chabaudi in domestic cats is virtually unknown, although pathological lesions (e.g., granulomatous pneumonia, parenchymal hemorrhagies, alveolar emphysema, subendothelial proliferation and oedema, thrombosis and hyperplasia/hypertrophy of the pulmonary arteries) have been reported in both wild and domestic cats (9,11,12,16). With regard to other Angiostrongylus species, the ability of A. vasorum to infect felid hosts was shown under experimental conditions (17,18), and recently, a case of natural infection has been described in a domestic cat from Switzerland (19). However, to date patent infections caused by A. vasorum in F. catus have never been described neither in experimental nor in natural conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is Angiostrongylosis a Realistic Threat for Domestic Cats?

et al. 2020

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Three species of Angiostrongylus have been found in felids thus far, i.e., Angiostrongylus chabaudi, Angiostrongylus felineus and Angiostrongylus vasorum. Angiostrongylus chabaudi lives in the right heart and pulmonary arteries of the definitive natural host, the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), and non-patent infections have been reported in domestic cats (Felis catus). Angiostrongylus felineus, described in the Puma yaguarondi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), has never been reported in domestic felids, while recently a non-patent infection by A. vasorum was unequivocally described in a F. catus. Nonetheless, epizootiological and clinical relevance of angiostrongylosis in domestic cats are practically unknown. This study investigated whether cases of angiostrongylosis may be missed in cats living in areas enzootic for Angiostrongylus spp. and other metastrongyloids. Overall, 100 cats that were either positive (n.50) or negative (n.50) for metastrongyloid larvae at the Baermann's test, were examined for Angiostrongylus spp. with DNA-based methods and with the serological test Angio Detect TM for circulating antigen. The PCR analysis confirmed the copromicroscopy results, where 25 cats scored positive for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, 16 for Troglostrongylus brevior and 9 for both, while no cats were positive for Angiostrongylus-like larvae, including A. chabaudi. None of the 100 sera samples scored positive at the Angio Detect TM test. These data suggest that currently feline angiostrongylosis is a minor parasitosis for domestic cats. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the epizootiological drivers which have favored the spillover of A. vasorum and T. brevior from wildlife to dogs and cats, could promote the emergence of feline angiostrongylosis, with an unpredictable health impact.

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Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in domestic cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in central Nepal

Adhikari

Dhakal²,

Ale³

et al. 2022

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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Introduction: Cats (Felis catus) are the only felines that live in close contact with humans. Since cats can act as vectors, carriers, reservoirs and definitive hosts of many gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, parasitic assessment could contribute to their survival and well-being. Aims:The current study aimed to assess the diversity and prevalence of GI parasites in domestic and feral cats from Ratnanagar in Chitwan in Central Nepal.Methods: A total of 107 fresh faecal samples of cats (90 household cats and 17 feral cats) of varied ages and sex were collected and transported to the laboratory. The copromicroscopic examination was carried out following direct wet mount, formalinethyl acetate sedimentation, saturated salt flotation, acid-fast staining and sporulation techniques. Furthermore, associated risk factors were evaluated to ascertain the predictor of risks for parasitic acquisition. Results:The current study revealed an overall 95.3% prevalence rate with a 100% rate in feral cats and 94.4% in household cats. Altogether, 18 (17 known and one unknown) different species of GI parasites were reported with the helminths (95.3%; 11 species) and the protozoa (55.1%; seven species). Besides age and sex, outdoor lifestyle, absence or unknown history of medication and hunting behaviour of the felines are the predictors of risk. Furthermore, mixed infection was comparatively higher than single infection in the faecal samples.Conclusions: Cats harbour a higher prevalence and greater diversity of GI parasites, and parasitism varies with age and sex. This finding can be essential for veterinarians and public health authorities for strategic treatment and for assessing the zoonotic transmission of the parasites from these felines. Importantly, an effective medication strategy for cats and owners is recommended.

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First case of a natural infection in a domestic cat (Felis catus) with the canid heart worm Angiostrongylus vasorum

Cited by 11 publications

References 54 publications

Intra Vitam Diagnosis of Neglected Gurltia paralysans Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) by a Commercial Serology Test for Canine Angiostrongylosis and Insights into Clinical and Histopathological Findings—Four-Case Report

Intra Vitam Diagnosis of Neglected Gurltia paralysans Infections in Domestic Cats (Felis catus) by a Commercial Serology Test for Canine Angiostrongylosis and Insights into Clinical and Histopathological Findings—Four-Case Report

Is Angiostrongylosis a Realistic Threat for Domestic Cats?

Survey on the prevalence of intestinal parasites in domestic cats (Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758) in central Nepal

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