Clinical-parasitological screening for respiratory capillariosis in cats in urban environments

Abstract

SummaryRespiratory capillariosis is a widely distributed zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the nematode Capillaria aerophila (Trichocephalida, Trichuridae) that commonly infects wild carnivores but also cats and dogs. This retrospective study aims to describe cases of respiratory capillariosis in cats from the city of Belgrade, Serbia. Between 2015 and 2019, a total of 155 pet cats with or without respiratory symptoms were submitted to physical examination and parasitological examination of the feces. All cats lived indoor but had free access to outdoor. In suburban settlements, wild carnivores commonly share their living environments with owned cats and dogs. It can be assumed that more intense urbanization spreading into the natural habitats of will carnivores creates the opportunity for closer and more frequent contacts between the population of cats and feral carnivores which might increase the risk of feline contamination. The findings confirm the existence of capillaries in cats in urban areas of the city of Belgrade, contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this nematode and warn that, because of close contacts between cats of pets and humans, capillaries can cause human infection.

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

“…In most infected cats, C. aerophila causes chronic bronchitis that ranges from mild to severe respiratory manifestations. However, on occasion, a fatal outcome may result from diseased animals [ 8 , 43 ]. General distress, dry or productive cough, sneezing with nasal discharge, dyspnea and tachypnea are the most frequent clinical signs [ 4 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Common findings on lung auscultation are increased respiratory sounds, end-inspiration crackling and wheezing [ 44 ]. Heart murmurs have been reported in some cats, although correlation of this condition with the infection is unclear [ 8 ]. Pneumothorax, pleural effusion, interstitial emphysema, lung edema and secondary bacterial infections can also occur [ 8 , 44 , 45 ].…”

“…Heart murmurs have been reported in some cats, although correlation of this condition with the infection is unclear [ 8 ]. Pneumothorax, pleural effusion, interstitial emphysema, lung edema and secondary bacterial infections can also occur [ 8 , 44 , 45 ]. In these cases, feline pulmonary capillariosis can be life-threatening, regardless of the administration of appropriate anthelmintic and supplementary supportive treatment [ 8 ].…”

“…Capillaria aerophila has a wider range of hosts as it infects various carnivore species, including felids [ 5 , 8 ]. In adult stages, they live completely or partially embedded underneath the mucosa of bronchi and trachea and, after mating, the females produce eggs that are transferred via the mucus of the airways up to the pharynx, swallowed and passed in the feces of infected animals to the environment, where they mature.…”

“…As expected, cats with outdoor access are more prone to lungworm infections due to increased opportunities of paratenic host predation [ 2 , 12 , 19 ]. Cats living in sympatry with wildlife that may act as natural reservoirs of C. aerophila (wild carnivores such as foxes) or T. brevior (the European wildcat, Felis silvestris ) are at higher risk of infection by these parasites [ 1 , 5 , 8 , 20 ]. Kittens and cats less than one year of age are more commonly infected with T. brevior [ 2 , 12 ].…”