Abstract
Although Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infections in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) have sporadically been reported in Colombia, there is still no data available on epidemiology nor on the biology of this neglected lungworm parasite. Thus, this epidemiological study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of patent A. abstrusus infections in domestic cats from the Colombian Federal State of Antioquia. In total, 473 fecal samples of indoor/outdoor domestic cats were collected and analyzed thereafter by the Baermann funnel migration technique for the presence of A. abstrusus first stage larvae 1 (L1). The occurrence of A. abstrusus was confirmed in 0.4% (2/473) of investigated cats. Due to the presence of patent A. abstrusus infections in investigated cats, it is unfailing to include this lungworm within differential diagnoses of feline pulmonary disorders. Despite the fact that the Baermann funnel technique is currently the cheapest and the gold standard diagnostic tool for feline aelurostrongylosis, this technique is still unknown by Colombian veterinary surgeons and rarely utilized in small animal veterinary clinics. The current survey intends to generate awareness on this neglected parasitosis and to be considered as a baseline study for future surveys monitoring feline aelurostrongylosis not only in domestic/stray cats but also in endemic wild felid species of Colombia.
Highlights
In Colombian territories, there is still no updated data on the prevalence of lungworms affecting domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus)
We report here on the occurrence of patent A. abstrusus infections in a large domestic cat population (n = 473) of Antioquia
A. abstrusus abstrususisisthe themost most common nematode affecting the respiratory system of do‐
Summary
In Colombian territories, there is still no updated data on the prevalence of lungworms affecting domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus). The gastropod-borne parasite Aelurostrongylus abstrusus affects the respiratory tract of domestic as well as wild felids [1,2]. This lungworm species shares a similar life cycle to other closely related metastrongyloid parasites such as Troglostrongylus brevior and Crenosoma vulpis [3,4]. In the lungs, fertilized A. abstrusus females lay embryonated eggs from which first-stage larvae (L1) hatch and ascend the respiratory tract up to the pharynx. Exogenous L1 of A. abstrusus can survive in the environment for up to 60 days until they infect terrestrial snails and slugs
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