Diagnosis of feline pulmonary helminthiasis caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Abstract

Pulmonary elurostrongylosis caused by A. abstrusus is widely reported in many countries worldwide. This study describes the detection of elurostrongylosis among domestic cats in Ukraine. Spontaneously infected cats showing signs of lung involvement were selected for the study. The main observed symptom in all animals was either persistent or intermittent coughing. Radiographic findings revealed varying degrees of lung tissue involvement from moderate to extensive, with intensified vascular patterns and clear densification with signs of edema. Morphological blood examinations indicated mild leukocytosis (15.5±1.34 Г/L) and eosinophilia (6.0±0.01%). Fecal examination using the Baermann method detected first-stage A. abstrusus larvae in two out of 47 cats. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed actively motile first-stage A. abstrusus parasites in 43 out of 47 cats upon microscopic examination. Laboratory results showed higher efficacy of alveolar lavage (48.8%) compared to the Baermann method (17.1%) in parasite detection, emphasizing its significance in diagnosis. Diagnosing A. abstrusus is complicated due to the absence of specific clinical signs and limitations of diagnostic methods. Coproscopic examination methods may yield false-negative results due to low larval concentration and insufficient morphological differentiation from other helminth larvae. Therefore, an integrated approach combining copromicroscopy, blood analysis, and radiographic examinations is crucial for accurate diagnosis. Only with proper diagnosis can a reliable prognosis be formulated and an effective treatment plan(scheme) developed for the patient. Elurostrongylosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for cats by veterinary practitioners. Further research in Ukraine is necessary for better understanding the epidemiology, risks, and control of A. abstrusus spread among the feline population. Key words: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, helminths, cats, parasitic diseases, pulmonary helminthiasis, diagnosis.