Lungworm Eucoleus aerophilus (Capillaria aerophila) infection in a feline immunodeficiency virus-positive cat in France

Abstract

Case summaryA 2-year-old domestic shorthair female outdoor cat living in France was diagnosed with a lungworm infection due to Eucoleus aerophilus. The history and clinical signs, in association with bronchoscopic examination, suggested chronic upper respiratory disease. Cytological examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was consistent with suppurative bronchitis. Direct microscopic examination of BALF enabled the identification of E aerophilus ova.Relevance and novel informationThe cat was positive for feline immunodeficiency virus and had been treated with steroids for a suspected allergic bronchitis, suggesting that immunodeficiency was probably a facilitating factor for E aerophilus infection, as described in previous cases. This case report emphasises the importance of considering eucoleosis (capillariosis) in the differential diagnosis of respiratory disease in cats. To our knowledge, this is the first clinical case of E aerophilus infection described in a domestic cat in France.

Cardiorespiratory nematodes and co‐infections with gastrointestinal parasites in new arrivals at dog and cat shelters in north‐western Spain

“…Finally, epidemiological studies reporting the prevalence of respiratory trichuroid nematodes in cats have been performed in Albania, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Spain; our results for E. aerophilus (6.2%) are similar to the highest prevalences reported (8.2%) in Europe (Capári et al., 2013 ; Genchi et al., 2021 ; Hansen et al., 2017 ; Krone et al., 2008 ; Knaus et al., 2014 ; Mircean et al., 2010 ; Miró et al., 2004 ; Tamponi et al., 2017 ; Traversa et al., 2009 ; Waap et al., 2014 ; Wierzbowska et al., 2020 ). In addition, this parasite has also been identified in domestic cats from other European countries such as France, Hungary, Greece, Belgium and Lithuania (Elhamiani‐Khatat, Rosenberg, Benchekroun & Polack, 2016 ; Haralampides, 1978 ; Rehbein et al., 2014 ; Thienpont et al., 1981 ).…”

Cat Respiratory Nematodes: Current Knowledge, Novel Data and Warranted Studies on Clinical Features, Treatment and Control

“…As for aelurostrongylosis and troglostrongylosis, laboratory findings are of limited interest. Leukocytosis accompanied with eosinophilia and monocytosis are frequently described, as in many other feline respiratory diseases [ 8 , 46 ].…”

“…Knowledge of radiographic alterations in feline pulmonary capillariosis is even more fragmentary. Recent studies have indicated that X-ray alterations vary from absent [ 46 ] to combinations of bronchial, interstitial and alveolar patterns [ 8 , 47 ]. Two recent series, although on a small number of cases, have also shown that a bronchial pattern is almost invariably present in cats infected with C. aerophila, often associated with alveolar and/or interstitial patterns (unstructured or nodular) [ 8 , 47 ].…”

What the fox? Cryptic Eucoleus [Capillaria] sp. in the respiratory tract of a cat from Australia

“…Upon hatching in the intestines, the larvae migrate via the bloodstream to the upper respiratory tract. Infection with E. aerophilus is commonly asymptomatic, with young animals infected with a heavy burden or co-infected with other pathogens, usually those resulting in immunosuppression – such as Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Addison’s disease – most likely to display clinical signs ( Barrs et al., 2000 ; Burgess et al., 2008 ; Elhamiani Khatat et al., 2016 ; Crisi et al., 2017 ; Morelli et al, 2021a ). Clinical signs are non-specific and include generalized respiratory distress, wet to dry coughing, sneezing, wheezing and nasal discharge accompanied by lethargy, fever, depression and weight loss ( Traversa et al, 2009a , 2010 ; Crisi et al., 2017 ).…”