Angiostrongylus vasorum: the ‘French Heartworm’

Abstract

Angiostrongylus vasorum which is commonly known as 'French heartworm' is a snail-born parasitic disease affecting the members of the Canidae family. This parasite has a cosmopolitan distribution covering tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. However, its distribution is characterised by isolated endemic foci, with only sporadic occurrences outside this areas. During the last two decades, several sporadic occurrences in old and new endemic areas have been documented by the researchers. However, the spread of infection and dynamic consequences of this parasite in final host has not been clarified yet. Therefore, this review will focus on the morphology, biology, clinical significant as well as management of this parasitic disease.

First report of a fatal autochthonous canine Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in Belgium

“…Patent infections were also observed in red fox, wolf and European badger [1][2][3][4]. In Europe, the red fox is considered as the main reservoir host [5].…”

The Efficacy of a Topically Applied Imidacloprid 10 % / Moxidectin 2.5 % Formulation (Advocate®, Advantage® Multi, Bayer) against Immature and Adult Spirocerca lupi Worms in Experimentally Infected Dogs

“…Prevention of this disease by control of intermediate or paratenic host is impractical and difficult to achieve, since the spectrum of intermediate and paratenic hosts is so diverse (Bailey 1972;Bowman 2009;Taylor et al 2007), a situation similar to other severe parasitic diseases such as angiostrongylosis, which depends on a variety of molluscan intermediate hosts and vertebrate paratenic hosts (Bolt et al 1993, Ferdushy andHasan 2010). Therefore control of Spirocerca lupi in the final host by medical prevention or therapy seems to be the only viable option.…”

Evaluation of the Persistent Preventive Efficacy of 2.5 % Moxidectin/10 % Imidacloprid Spot-on (Advocate®, Advantage® Multi) in Dogs Experimentally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum

“…vasorum, the "French heartworm" has an indirect life cycle with snails and slugs as intermediate hosts and canids as final hosts. The parasite is widespread in Europe and Canada, but is also observed in other parts of the world, indicating a cosmopolitan distribution covering Europe, North and South America (Ferdushy andTabarak 2010, Elsheikea et al 2014). Infected dogs are difficult to identify, as the clinical signs are unspecific (Willesen et al 2007).…”

“…In addition, there are new reports on the occurrence of A. vasorum infections in dogs and wildlife from countries where A. vasorum was previously not observed (Hurniková et al 2013, Lempereur et al 2016, Penagos et al 2016. After ingestion of a snail or slug containing thirdstage larvae (L3) of A. vasorum, or even ingestion of grass or dog food contaminated with the slime of an infected gastropod (Ferdushy andTabarak 2010, Conboy et al 2017), the L3 penetrates the intestinal wall and migrates to the abdominal lymph nodes, where it moults into fourth-stage larvae (L4) and immature adults. Immature adults migrate to the right heart and to the pulmonary arteries, where they become mature.…”