Nematodes infecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats have recently stimulated high scientific interest. Over the past few years, different aspects of these parasites have been clarified and various issues elucidated. This increased knowledge has improved awareness on this topic but, at the same time, some dilemmas have not been solved and new questions have been raised. In this review, we underline and discuss current knowledge of, and new doubts relating to, feline lungworms and heartworms, with the aim of stimulating new studies to fill gaps of basic (i.e., epidemiology and biology) and applied (i.e., clinical aspects) knowledge of the old and new parasites affecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats. Some nematodes affecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats are of increasing importance for their geographic expansion in both endemic and nonendemic regions, and their potential impact in feline clinical practice.Until a few years ago, the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) and, to a lesser extent, Capillaria aerophila (Nematoda, Trichurida), were considered the sole nematodes affecting the lungs of cats.The canine heartworm Dirofilaria immitis was considered the only nematode able to affect the heart and pulmonary vessels of cats, although rarely.Over the past few years, other little-known nematodes (e.g., Troglostrongylus brevior and Angiostrongylus chabaudi) have been found in the cardiorespiratory system of domestic cats, either for the first time or following a long gap since the previous record.These new reports have improved our knowledge of feline respiratory system nematodes, but some questions remain and new dilemmas have emerged.
Felid Lungworms and Heartworms in Italy: More Questions than Answers?
VERONESI, FABRIZIA;
2015
Abstract
Nematodes infecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats have recently stimulated high scientific interest. Over the past few years, different aspects of these parasites have been clarified and various issues elucidated. This increased knowledge has improved awareness on this topic but, at the same time, some dilemmas have not been solved and new questions have been raised. In this review, we underline and discuss current knowledge of, and new doubts relating to, feline lungworms and heartworms, with the aim of stimulating new studies to fill gaps of basic (i.e., epidemiology and biology) and applied (i.e., clinical aspects) knowledge of the old and new parasites affecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats. Some nematodes affecting the cardiorespiratory system of cats are of increasing importance for their geographic expansion in both endemic and nonendemic regions, and their potential impact in feline clinical practice.Until a few years ago, the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) and, to a lesser extent, Capillaria aerophila (Nematoda, Trichurida), were considered the sole nematodes affecting the lungs of cats.The canine heartworm Dirofilaria immitis was considered the only nematode able to affect the heart and pulmonary vessels of cats, although rarely.Over the past few years, other little-known nematodes (e.g., Troglostrongylus brevior and Angiostrongylus chabaudi) have been found in the cardiorespiratory system of domestic cats, either for the first time or following a long gap since the previous record.These new reports have improved our knowledge of feline respiratory system nematodes, but some questions remain and new dilemmas have emerged.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.