Pathological Findings in Dogs Naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus Vasorum in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

Abstract

Abstract. Fifty-six dogs from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, were evaluated for Angiostrongylus vasorum infection. Small numbers of nematodes were found within pulmonary arteries of 6 dogs. Larvae were identified in fecal samples in 2 of 6 dogs. All 6 dogs had multifocal granulomatous pneumonia and sometimes foci of chronic thrombosis, which varied from very mild to severe. One dog had extensive pulmonary lesions resulting in cor pulmonale. Right heart failure was characterized by right ventricular hypertrophy, hepatic congestion, ascites, and hydrothorax. Microscopically, in most cases, eggs, larvae, and sometimes intravascular adults, were present within lung tissue sections. Small foci of granulomatous inflammation with and without larvae were present in kidney and brain in 4 dogs. An additional dog, diagnosed antemortem with angiostrongylosis via fecal examination, was also examined. Pathological findings consisted of severe pyogranulomatous interstitial pneumonia with myriad eggs, larvae, and numerous intravascular pulmonary adult nematodes with extensive arterial thrombosis. Five hundred and seventy-two adult worms were removed from pulmonary arteries. Foci of granulomatous inflammation, often associated with larvae and/or eggs, were present in tracheobronchial lymph nodes, adrenal gland, brain, and kidneys. Severe seizuring noted antemortem was attributed to several large, discrete areas of acute hemorrhagic infarction within the cerebrum and cerebellum. Natural A. vasorum infection in domestic dogs in eastern Newfoundland causes lung pathology of variable severity, which in some cases, may progress to cor pulmonale and which may be associated with extrapulmonary lesions and clinical signs.

The first report of Angiostrongylus vasorum (Nematoda; Metastrongyloidea) in Poland, in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes)

“…Also described is a neurological syndrome caused by the parasite eggs and larvae, which penetrate the blood flow to the brain and lodged in the brains blood vessels, causing apathy, paralysis, seizures aggression, shakings, blurred vision and even blindness and death. Failure of the liver and kidneys can also occur (Bolt et al 1994, Bourque et al 2008, Chapman et al 2004, failure and Hasan 2010, Traversa et al 2013, Eleni et al 2014 .…”

Pneumonia from Angiostrongylus Vasorum Infection in a Red Panda (Ailurus Fulgens Fulgens)

“…11 Histological lesions reported in the lungs of canids with severe disease include granulomatous inflammation, variably severe interstitial fibrosis, thrombosis of pulmonary arteries with fibrin and parasites, arterial fibrosis and recanalization, arterial smooth muscle hyperplasia, and necrosis. 3,4 Granulomas associated with nematode eggs and larvae can also occur in other tissues, including the tracheobronchial lymph nodes (as in this case), brain, kidney, spleen, and adrenal gland. 3,4 The pathological lesions in the red panda in this study were therefore similar to those reported in dogs and foxes with severe disease, although pulmonary mineralization was more extensive.…”

“…3,4 Granulomas associated with nematode eggs and larvae can also occur in other tissues, including the tracheobronchial lymph nodes (as in this case), brain, kidney, spleen, and adrenal gland. 3,4 The pathological lesions in the red panda in this study were therefore similar to those reported in dogs and foxes with severe disease, although pulmonary mineralization was more extensive. Arterial lesions were not noted histologically, but unfortunately, only a few small specimens of lung tissue were submitted.…”

Spinal Lymphoma and Pulmonary Filariasis in a Pet Domestic Rabbit (Oryctolagus Cuniculus Domesticus)

“…4 Moreover, other cardiovascular parasites, such as the French heartworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum, were eliminated because of size differences (this parasite was approximately 200 nm in diameter, whereas A. vasorum is 270-350 nm in diameter) and/or differences in histomorphologic characteristics (this parasite had very prominent coelomyarian musculature, whereas A. vasorum has thin, much-less-prominent musculature). 1 The identity of this filarid as D. immitis using PCR analysis was unable to be conclusively confirmed, but much of the human and veterinary literature has used less stringent histomorphologic characteristics to diagnose D. immitis. 2,4,5,[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Given the geographic location of this rabbit and the endemic prevalence of heartworm disease, the most likely diagnosis of the filarid is D. immitis.…”

“…?show "fnote_aff1"$^! "content-markup(./author-grp [1]/aff|./author-grp [1]/dept-list)> A 2.5-kg, 6-year-old, neutered, male rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus) with a body condition score of 3.5 out of 5 was presented to the Louisiana State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Clinics (LSU VTHC; Baton Rouge, LA) for paraplegia. Before presentation, the rabbit progressed during 3 days from appearing clinically normal to complete paraplegia.…”