Updates on feline aelurostrongylosis and research priorities for the next decade

Abstract

Feline aelurostrongylosis, caused by the metastrongyloid nematode Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, is an important gastropod-borne parasitic lung disease in cats. Infection with A. abstrusus is widespread globally, but the increasing awareness of this parasite and the advent of more sensitive diagnostics have contributed to the apparent increase in its prevalence and geographic expansion. Clinical features may range in severity from subclinical to life-threatening respiratory disease. Parasitological standard techniques, such as visualization of the nematode first larval stage in faecal and respiratory (bronchial mucus or pleural fluid) samples, remain the mainstays of diagnosis. However, diagnosis is evolving with recent advances in serological and molecular testing, which can improve the time to initiation of effective anthelmintic therapy. Despite numerous anthelmintics that are now available as treatment options, the role of host immunity and lifestyle factors in selecting cats that may benefit from more targeted anthelmintic prophylaxis or treatment practice remains unclear and is likely to guide therapeutic choices as newer data become available. This review summarizes the biology, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment options currently available for feline aelurostrongylosis.

Prevalence of helminth and coccidian parasites in Swedish outdoor cats and the first report of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in Sweden: a coprological investigation

“…It is unclear how often infection is due to direct ingestion of intermediate hosts rather than ingestion of paratenic hosts. According to recent studies infective larvae can even be released into the environment by snails, thus increasing the chances of cats to become infected [3]. The present finding is not surprising since the presence of A. abstrusus in Norway was documented long ago [8] and since this parasite is relatively common in Denmark [12].…”

Efficacy of imidacloprid 10%/moxidectin 1% spot-on formulation (Advocate®) in the prevention and treatment of feline aelurostrongylosis

“…Furthermore, preventive treatment can be a contribution to an effective epidemiological control of A. abstrusus infections in cats, since even after curative treatment, infected cats still shed L1 for up to 8.9 ± 2.0 days [44]. Because of its pharmacokinetic properties, such as a longer half-life and its favorable safety profile, moxidectin has been a promising candidate for the chemoprevention of an A. abstrusus infection [31,45]. In other parasites, the chemopreventive properties of the moxidectin steady-state have already been shown, e.g.…”

Infecção por Aelurostrongylus abstrusus em felino-Relato de caso

“…Possui um ciclo de vida indireto, com gatos como hospedeiros definitivos e moluscos como hospedeiros intermediários. Os adultos, parasitam bronquíolos terminais e ductos alveolares podendo provocar manifestações clínicas, variando de sinais respiratórios mínimos a broncopneumonia intersticial, dispneia e desconforto respiratório em infecções maciças (ELSHEIKHA et al, 2016). As fêmeas depositam seus ovos e larvas de primeiro estágio (L1) eclodem ainda dentro dos ductos alveolares e sobrem o trato respiratório, através de mobilidade própria e da ajuda do sistema muco-ciliar e tosse do hospedeiro até alcançar a faringe quando são deglutidas e posteriormente eliminadas para o ambiente através das fezes (CAMERON, 1927;BOWMAN et al, 2002).…”