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Domenico Otranto - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Troglostrongylus brevior is the dominant lungworm infecting feral cats in Jerusalem.
Parasitology research, 2020Co-Authors: Harold Salant, Domenico Otranto, Daniel Yasur-landau, Alicia Rojas, Monica L. Mazuz, Gad BanethAbstract:Feline Lungworms infect the respiratory tract of wild and domestic cats, causing infection often associated with clinical disease. Until recently, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus has been considered the most relevant species of lungworm, while Troglostrongylus brevior was considered of less significance. Fecal samples of feral cats from Jerusalem, Israel, collected over a year, were examined for first stage lungworm larvae (L1) using the Baermann method. Positive samples were morphologically identified, and their species identity was molecularly confirmed. Forty of 400 (10.0%) cats were lungworm-positive, of which 38/40 (95.0%) shed Troglostrongylus brevior and 6/40 (15.0%) shed Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Four cats (10.0%) had mixed infections with both lungworm species. L1 shedding was associated with clinical respiratory signs in 11 (19.0%) T. brevior shedding cats of a total of 58 cats manifesting respiratory signs, while 23/342 (6.7%) cats without respiratory signs were L1-positive (p = 0.006). Non-respiratory clinical signs were also found to be more prevalent in L1 shedders (p = 0.012). A young kitten ≤ 4 weeks of age shed T. brevior L1 larvae. DNA sequences of both lungworm species using the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) locus were > 99% similar to other sequences deposited in GenBank, suggesting that T. brevior and A. abstrusus ITS2 sequences are both highly conserved. In conclusion, L1 shedding in feral cats from Jerusalem were mostly caused by T. brevior with only a small proportion involving A. abstrusus, different from many studies from other geographical regions.
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Serological survey and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in Italy
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Maria Alfonsa Cavalera, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Manuela Schnyder, Emily Katharina Gueldner, Tommaso Furlanello, Roberta Iatta, Christina Strube, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Feline Lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north ( n = 700), the centre ( n = 227) and the south ( n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus . Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4–10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5–9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0–9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7–29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area ( p
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serological survey and risk factors of aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in italy
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Maria Alfonsa Cavalera, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Manuela Schnyder, Emily Katharina Gueldner, Tommaso Furlanello, Roberta Iatta, Christina Strube, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Feline Lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north (n = 700), the centre (n = 227) and the south (n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5-9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0-9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7-29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area (p < 0.05). The risk of lungworm infection in cats was significantly associated with age less than 6 months (i.e. 24.4%, p < 0.05) and FIV infection (p < 0.05). This large-scale serological survey confirms the exposure of cats to lungworm infections in Italy and that serological tests can be used to assess the distribution of lungworm infections in large populations of animals.
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Efficacy of Broadline® spot-on against Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior Lungworms in naturally infected cats from Italy.
Veterinary parasitology, 2015Co-Authors: Alessio Giannelli, Martin Knaus, Lénaïg Halos, Frederic Beugnet, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Antonio Varcasia, Claudia Tamponi, Giancarlo Di Paola, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:The increasing reports of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection and the new information on Troglostrongylus brevior have spurred the interest of the scientific community towards the research of pharmaceutical compounds effective against both pathogens. A novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel (Broadline®, Merial) has been released for the treatment of a variety of feline parasitic infections. The present study reports the efficacy of this spot-on in treating cats naturally infected by feline Lungworms. Client owned cats (n=191) were enrolled from three geographical areas of Italy and faecal samples were examined by floatation and Baermann techniques. Twenty-three individuals were positive for L1 of A. abstrusus (n=18) or T. brevior (n=3) or for both species (n=2) and they were topically treated with Broadline®. Seventeen of them were also concomitantly infected by other parasites. Four weeks after treatment, faecal samples were collected and examined to assess the efficacy of a single administration of the product. Based on lungworm larvae counts, the efficacy of the treatment was 90.5% or 100% for A. abstrusus or T. brevior, respectively. Cats released significantly lower amounts of lungworm larvae after treatment compared to pre-treatment (p
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the european wildcats felis silvestris silvestris as reservoir hosts of troglostrongylus brevior strongylida crenosomatidae Lungworms
Veterinary Parasitology, 2014Co-Authors: Luigi Falsone, E. Brianti, Alessio Giannelli, Ettore Napoli, Gabriella Gaglio, Stefano Anile, Egidio Mallia, Giovanni Poglayen, S Giannetto, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:a b s t r a c t The increasing reports of Troglostrongylus brevior lungworm in domestic cats from Italy and Spain raised questions on its factual distribution and on the role wildcats play as reservoirs of these parasites. Carcasses of 21 wildcats were collected in natural parks of southern Italy (i.e., Catania, Sicily n = 5 and Matera, Basilicata n = 16) and biometrically and genetically identified as Felis silvestris silvestris, but two as hybrids. Troglostrongylus brevior and Eucoleus aerophilus Lungworms were found in 15 (71.4%) and 7 (33.3%) individuals, respectively, being five (23.8%) co-infected by the two species. Both Lungworms showed an aggregated distribution in the host population, assessed by k-index (i.e., 0.69 for T. brevior and 0.42 for E. aerophilus). Although no statistical significant difference was recorded among age, gender and geographical location of wildcats, a larger rate of infection by T. brevior was assessed in yearlings (85.7%) than adults (64.3%). This is the first epidemiological study reporting T. brevior infection in the European wildcat and discusses the potential threat this may represent for the conservation of this endangered species of felids. In addition, given the large frequency of lungworm infection herein recorded, the role of wildcats as reservoir hosts of these parasites to domestic cats is discussed. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Angela Di Cesare - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mitochondrial haplotypes of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) from domestic and wild felids
Parasitology Research, 2017Co-Authors: Donato Traversa, Raffaella Iorio, Fabrizia Veronesi, Giulia Simonato, Anastasia Diakou, Federica Marcer, Angela Di CesareAbstract:The lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important respiratory parasite of domestic cats. Pulmonary aelurostrongylosis has been reported in wild felids, though unequivocally evidence of wildlife infection by A . abstrusus is scant. Recently, Troglostrongylus brevior , a lungworm usually infecting wild felids, has been described in domestic cats from Mediterranean areas. The present work evaluates the sequence variation of an informative region within the gene encoding the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 of A . abstrusus and T . brevior , in order to provide novel information on the genetic make-up of these Lungworms. Parasitic stages of A . abstrusus and T . brevior were collected from domestic and wild hosts (i.e., domestic cat, European wildcat, caracal, serval, and lion) from Italy, Greece, and South Africa. Five (HI-HV) and four (HI-HIV) haplotypes were recorded for A . abstrusus and T . brevior , respectively, mostly shared between domestic and wild felids in different geographical areas. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all haplotypes of A . abstrusus and T . brevior clustered as monophyletic groups with a strong nodal support, indicating that all haplotypes identified were distinct from each other. All sequence types represent two distinct species, A . abstrusus and T . brevior , and these genetic convergences are also detected within and among populations of these nematodes, irrespective of their hosts and geographical origin. The occurrence of A . abstrusus and T . brevior haplotypes in different hosts from the same regions and between different countries indicates that the same lungworm populations circulate in domestic and wild hosts under the same routes of transmission.
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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in wild felids of South Africa
Parasitology Research, 2016Co-Authors: Angela Di Cesare, Francesca Laiacona, Raffaella Iorio, Marianna Marangi, Alessia MenegottoAbstract:The increasing interest on respiratory nematodes of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) has recently stimulated several studies on their epidemiology and geographic distribution. At the same time, there are still important gaps in our knowledge of the infections caused by respiratory nematodes in wild felids. The present study investigated the occurrence of pulmonary parasites in wild hosts housed in sanctuaries and protected areas of South Africa. Faecal samples collected from seven species of wild felids living in three study sites were copromicroscopically and genetically examined. Of twenty-one samples six, i.e. three from caracals (Caracal caracal), two from lions (Panthera leo) and one from a serval (Leptailurus serval), scored positive for the metastrongyloid Aelurostrongylus abstrusus at copromicroscopic and/or molecular tests. No other Lungworms were recorded. The occurrence of the cosmopolitan cat lungworm A. abstrusus in wild hosts has been so far questioned. Importantly, the present findings represent an unequivocal evidence of the capability of A. abstrusus to infect some species of wild felids. Further studies are warranted to understand the epidemiological patterns of Lungworms in wild and domestic felids, and to better investigate the impact of these parasitoses on health and welfare of wild animals.
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Occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats in Greece
Parasites & vectors, 2015Co-Authors: Anastasia Diakou, Angela Di Cesare, Luciano A. Barros, Simone Morelli, Lénaïg Halos, Frederic Beugnet, Donato TraversaAbstract:Background Despite the evidence that Mediterranean Europe offers suitable conditions for the biology of felid respiratory metastrongyloids, no updated data on the presence of felid Lungworms are available for Greece. Although the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is considered as enzootic in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) living in some areas of continental Greece, conversely, Troglostrongylus brevior, has only been reported in the island of Crete. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats from four different Greek locations including islands where European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), believed to be the natural reservoir of T. brevior, are considered absent.
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Retrospective study on the occurrence of the feline Lungworms Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp. in endemic areas of Italy
Veterinary journal (London England : 1997), 2014Co-Authors: Angela Di Cesare, Antonio Frangipane Di Regalbono, Raffaella Iorio, Mariarita Romanucci, Daniela Malatesta, Gabriella Di Francesco, C. Eleni, Claudio De Liberato, Giuseppe Marruchella, Laura BongiovanniAbstract:Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a metastrongyloid nematode infesting the respiratory system of domestic cats worldwide. Troglostrongylus brevior and Troglostrongylus subcrenatus, two Lungworms thought to infest wild felids, have been found recently in domestic cats from Spain and Italy. These unexpected findings have raised doubts about the assumed past and present occurrence of Troglostrongylus spp., especially T. brevior, in domestic hosts and suggest that there may have been missed detection or misdiagnosis. The present retrospective study evaluated the presence of Lungworms in cats from Italy with a diagnosis of respiratory parasitism or with compatible lung lesions from 2002 to 2013. Sixty-eight samples of DNA and larvae from cats with a diagnosis of aelurostrongylosis, and 53 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded lung samples from cats confirmed as lungworm infested or with compatible lesions, were investigated using two DNA-based assays specific for A. abstrusus or T. brevior. All DNA and larval samples were positive for A. abstrusus and one was additionally positive for T. brevior. Most paraffin-embedded lung tissues were positive only for A. abstrusus, but two samples tested positive for both Lungworms and one for T. brevior only. This study supports the major role of A. abstrusus in causing feline respiratory parasitism in endemic areas of Italy.
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Feline Lungworms: what a dilemma
Trends in parasitology, 2013Co-Authors: Donato Traversa, Angela Di CesareAbstract:Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is regarded as the major lungworm infecting Felis catus, although other, albeit poorly studied, nematodes have been described from the respiratory system of domestic cats. Recent records of these neglected parasites have renewed the attention of the scientific community, but their actual role in respiratory disease in cats is blurred. The epidemiology, pathogenic role, and diagnosis of Troglostrongylus spp., Oslerus rostratus, and Capillaria aerophila in domestic cats are far from being clarified. Indeed, recent studies have provided novel information but have also given rise to relevant doubts. We discuss here the state of current knowledge regarding felid Lungworms together with the dilemmas recently roused in the scientific literature.
Donato Traversa - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Mitochondrial haplotypes of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior (Nematoda, Metastrongyloidea) from domestic and wild felids
Parasitology Research, 2017Co-Authors: Donato Traversa, Raffaella Iorio, Fabrizia Veronesi, Giulia Simonato, Anastasia Diakou, Federica Marcer, Angela Di CesareAbstract:The lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important respiratory parasite of domestic cats. Pulmonary aelurostrongylosis has been reported in wild felids, though unequivocally evidence of wildlife infection by A . abstrusus is scant. Recently, Troglostrongylus brevior , a lungworm usually infecting wild felids, has been described in domestic cats from Mediterranean areas. The present work evaluates the sequence variation of an informative region within the gene encoding the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 of A . abstrusus and T . brevior , in order to provide novel information on the genetic make-up of these Lungworms. Parasitic stages of A . abstrusus and T . brevior were collected from domestic and wild hosts (i.e., domestic cat, European wildcat, caracal, serval, and lion) from Italy, Greece, and South Africa. Five (HI-HV) and four (HI-HIV) haplotypes were recorded for A . abstrusus and T . brevior , respectively, mostly shared between domestic and wild felids in different geographical areas. The phylogenetic analysis showed that all haplotypes of A . abstrusus and T . brevior clustered as monophyletic groups with a strong nodal support, indicating that all haplotypes identified were distinct from each other. All sequence types represent two distinct species, A . abstrusus and T . brevior , and these genetic convergences are also detected within and among populations of these nematodes, irrespective of their hosts and geographical origin. The occurrence of A . abstrusus and T . brevior haplotypes in different hosts from the same regions and between different countries indicates that the same lungworm populations circulate in domestic and wild hosts under the same routes of transmission.
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OCCURRENCE OF Lungworms IN EUROPEAN WILDCATS (FELIS SILVESTRIS SILVESTRIS) OF CENTRAL ITALY.
Journal of wildlife diseases, 2016Co-Authors: Fabrizia Veronesi, Donato Traversa, Raffaella Iorio, Marianna Marangi, Elvio Lepri, Giulia Morganti, Francesca Vercillo, Dorian Grelli, Rudi Cassini, Bernardino RagniAbstract:Abstract The increasing focus on infections in domestic cats (Felis catus) has raised questions about lungworm distribution in wild hosts. To enhance knowledge of the occurrence of Lungworms in enzootic regions of central Italy, we examined the carcasses of 16 European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris). Adult nematodes, feces, respiratory flushings, and pulmonary tissues were collected at necropsy and then microscopically and genetically analyzed. Fourteen wildcats had single or mixed lungworm species. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common parasite retrieved, followed by Troglostrongylus brevior. In addition, three specimens of Angiostrongylus chabaudi were found in the pulmonary arteries of one wildcat. Histologically, the most common lesions were a mild-to-severe chronic catarrhal bronchitis and a chronic interstitial pneumonia with smooth muscle hypertrophy, associated with T. brevior and A. abstrusus, respectively. These results demonstrate that the European wildcats may harbor several s...
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Occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats in Greece
Parasites & vectors, 2015Co-Authors: Anastasia Diakou, Angela Di Cesare, Luciano A. Barros, Simone Morelli, Lénaïg Halos, Frederic Beugnet, Donato TraversaAbstract:Background Despite the evidence that Mediterranean Europe offers suitable conditions for the biology of felid respiratory metastrongyloids, no updated data on the presence of felid Lungworms are available for Greece. Although the cat lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is considered as enzootic in domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) living in some areas of continental Greece, conversely, Troglostrongylus brevior, has only been reported in the island of Crete. The present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior in domestic cats from four different Greek locations including islands where European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris), believed to be the natural reservoir of T. brevior, are considered absent.
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Feline Lungworms: what a dilemma
Trends in parasitology, 2013Co-Authors: Donato Traversa, Angela Di CesareAbstract:Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is regarded as the major lungworm infecting Felis catus, although other, albeit poorly studied, nematodes have been described from the respiratory system of domestic cats. Recent records of these neglected parasites have renewed the attention of the scientific community, but their actual role in respiratory disease in cats is blurred. The epidemiology, pathogenic role, and diagnosis of Troglostrongylus spp., Oslerus rostratus, and Capillaria aerophila in domestic cats are far from being clarified. Indeed, recent studies have provided novel information but have also given rise to relevant doubts. We discuss here the state of current knowledge regarding felid Lungworms together with the dilemmas recently roused in the scientific literature.
E. Brianti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Serological survey and risk factors of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in Italy
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Maria Alfonsa Cavalera, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Manuela Schnyder, Emily Katharina Gueldner, Tommaso Furlanello, Roberta Iatta, Christina Strube, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Feline Lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north ( n = 700), the centre ( n = 227) and the south ( n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus . Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4–10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5–9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0–9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7–29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area ( p
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serological survey and risk factors of aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection among owned cats in italy
Parasitology Research, 2019Co-Authors: Maria Alfonsa Cavalera, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Manuela Schnyder, Emily Katharina Gueldner, Tommaso Furlanello, Roberta Iatta, Christina Strube, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:Feline Lungworms affect the respiratory tract of domestic cats causing respiratory conditions of various degrees. In this study, we investigated the exposure of cats to feline lungworm infections by detecting antibodies in a large population of animals from several regions of Italy. Sera of 1087 domestic cats living in regions of the north (n = 700), the centre (n = 227) and the south (n = 160) of Italy were examined by a newly developed indirect ELISA conceived for detection of antibodies against the most frequently occurring feline lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Individual cat data (i.e., age, sex, neutering status and provenience) were analysed as potential risk factors for exposure to lungworm infections. Samples were additionally screened for feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) proviral DNAs. Overall, 9% (98/1087; 95% confidence interval (CI) 7.4-10.9%) of the animals tested seropositive to lungworm antibodies. Positive cats were identified in the north (7.1%; CI 5.5-9.3%), in the centre (5.3%; CI 3.0-9.0%) and in the South (22.5%; CI 16.7-29.6%), with more seropositive animals in the latter area (p < 0.05). The risk of lungworm infection in cats was significantly associated with age less than 6 months (i.e. 24.4%, p < 0.05) and FIV infection (p < 0.05). This large-scale serological survey confirms the exposure of cats to lungworm infections in Italy and that serological tests can be used to assess the distribution of lungworm infections in large populations of animals.
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Efficacy of Broadline® spot-on against Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior Lungworms in naturally infected cats from Italy.
Veterinary parasitology, 2015Co-Authors: Alessio Giannelli, Martin Knaus, Lénaïg Halos, Frederic Beugnet, Vito Colella, E. Brianti, Antonio Varcasia, Claudia Tamponi, Giancarlo Di Paola, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:The increasing reports of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection and the new information on Troglostrongylus brevior have spurred the interest of the scientific community towards the research of pharmaceutical compounds effective against both pathogens. A novel topical combination of fipronil, (S)-methoprene, eprinomectin and praziquantel (Broadline®, Merial) has been released for the treatment of a variety of feline parasitic infections. The present study reports the efficacy of this spot-on in treating cats naturally infected by feline Lungworms. Client owned cats (n=191) were enrolled from three geographical areas of Italy and faecal samples were examined by floatation and Baermann techniques. Twenty-three individuals were positive for L1 of A. abstrusus (n=18) or T. brevior (n=3) or for both species (n=2) and they were topically treated with Broadline®. Seventeen of them were also concomitantly infected by other parasites. Four weeks after treatment, faecal samples were collected and examined to assess the efficacy of a single administration of the product. Based on lungworm larvae counts, the efficacy of the treatment was 90.5% or 100% for A. abstrusus or T. brevior, respectively. Cats released significantly lower amounts of lungworm larvae after treatment compared to pre-treatment (p
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the european wildcats felis silvestris silvestris as reservoir hosts of troglostrongylus brevior strongylida crenosomatidae Lungworms
Veterinary Parasitology, 2014Co-Authors: Luigi Falsone, E. Brianti, Alessio Giannelli, Ettore Napoli, Gabriella Gaglio, Stefano Anile, Egidio Mallia, Giovanni Poglayen, S Giannetto, Domenico OtrantoAbstract:a b s t r a c t The increasing reports of Troglostrongylus brevior lungworm in domestic cats from Italy and Spain raised questions on its factual distribution and on the role wildcats play as reservoirs of these parasites. Carcasses of 21 wildcats were collected in natural parks of southern Italy (i.e., Catania, Sicily n = 5 and Matera, Basilicata n = 16) and biometrically and genetically identified as Felis silvestris silvestris, but two as hybrids. Troglostrongylus brevior and Eucoleus aerophilus Lungworms were found in 15 (71.4%) and 7 (33.3%) individuals, respectively, being five (23.8%) co-infected by the two species. Both Lungworms showed an aggregated distribution in the host population, assessed by k-index (i.e., 0.69 for T. brevior and 0.42 for E. aerophilus). Although no statistical significant difference was recorded among age, gender and geographical location of wildcats, a larger rate of infection by T. brevior was assessed in yearlings (85.7%) than adults (64.3%). This is the first epidemiological study reporting T. brevior infection in the European wildcat and discusses the potential threat this may represent for the conservation of this endangered species of felids. In addition, given the large frequency of lungworm infection herein recorded, the role of wildcats as reservoir hosts of these parasites to domestic cats is discussed. © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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new insights on metastrongyloid Lungworms infecting cats of sardinia italy
Veterinary Parasitology, 2014Co-Authors: Claudia Tamponi, Domenico Otranto, E. Brianti, Antonio Varcasia, Anna Paola Pipia, V Frau, M Pinna L Parpaglia, G Sanna, G Garippa, A ScalaAbstract:In addition to the well-known Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida: Angiostrongylidae), Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) has recently been diagnosed as a causative agent of bronco-pulmonary infections of cats in Spain and Italy. However, information concerning the impact of this species of lungworm on feline population is limited to a few case reports. From July 2011 to May 2013 an epidemiological survey was carried out on Sardinia island (Italy), where 107 individual faecal samples were examined by Baermann technique, and first-stage larvae were identified based on their morphology and characterization of molecular markers. The 29.9% (32/107) of cats examined were infested by broncho-pulmonary nematodes and, although A. abstrusus was the most frequently detected (n=27; 25.2%), larvae of T. brevior were also found (n=7; 6.5%). In addition, two cats (1.9%) were co-infested by both species. Overall metastrongyloid infection was higher in female cats (n=22; 38.6%) than in males (n=10; 20%) (χ(2)=4.39; p=0.036). The mean age of positive animals was 21.1 (±29.8) months, being infected animals from 2 months to 10 years of age. Of the 32 animals that scored positive for Lungworms only 6 (18.8%) displayed a respiratory condition associated with lungworm infestations. Biomolecular characterization confirmed the morphological diagnosis of A. abstrusus. Positive samples that were identified at genus level as Troglostrongylus spp. were molecularly characterized as T. brevior. This study represents the first epidemiological survey on metastrongyloid Lungworms of domestic cats in Sardinia and the first report of T. brevior on this island.
Richard Shine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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first line of defence skin microbiota may protect anurans from infective larval Lungworms
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, 2021Co-Authors: Keith A Christian, Richard Shine, Catherine M Shilton, Kimberley Day, Mirjam Kaestli, Karen S Gibb, Gregory P BrownAbstract:Abstract Functional roles of the rich microbiota of the skin are not fully understood, but include protection against microbial diseases and other environmental challenges. In experimental studies, we show that reducing the microbiota from cane toad (Rhinella marina) skin by gently wiping with absorptive gauze resulted in threefold higher rates of infection by Lungworms (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) following standardised exposure to infective skin-penetrating larvae. Higher concentrations of microbial DNA were associated with lower rates of lungworm entry. Our data suggest that microbial activity on the anuran skin comprises an important line of defence against attack by macroparasites as well as by fungi and other microbes.
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the costs of parasite infection effects of removing Lungworms on performance growth and survival of free ranging cane toads
Functional Ecology, 2018Co-Authors: Patrick B Finnerty, Richard Shine, Gregory P BrownAbstract:Summary 1.Most research on the effects of parasites on their hosts has focused on the parasites of mammals or birds (especially, domesticated taxa) rather than systems in which the hosts are ectothermic wildlife species. 2.We used experimental methods (antihelminthic drugs) to quantify the effects of Lungworms (Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala) on their anuran hosts, the invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). 3.In captivity, eradicating Lungworms enhanced toad activity (measures of boldness and level of spontaneous activity), performance (locomotor speed, climbing ability), and foraging success (feeding rate). 4.In free-ranging toads (n = 123) at a site in tropical Australia, eradicating lungworm infection increased rates of host survival by 8%, movement by 20%, growth by 28% and elaboration of male secondary sexual characteristics by 30%. The presence of the lungworm thus has a substantial negative effect on fitness-related traits of the host. 5.Given their long shared evolutionary history and the mild inflammatory and immune response elicited by the parasite in the host, the magnitude of the effects of parasite removal were surprising. Parasites may impose hidden costs, related to modification of host behaviour or metabolism. Experimental removal of parasites can be a useful means of quantifying costs of infection. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Using experimental de-worming to measure the immunological and pathological impacts of lungworm infection in cane toads
Elsevier, 2017Co-Authors: Patrick B Finnerty, Catherine M Shilton, Richard Shine, Gregory P BrownAbstract:The immunological and pathological consequences of parasite infection can be more rigorously assessed from experimental manipulation than from correlational studies of natural infections. We used anthelmintic treatment to experimentally decrease intensities of lungworm infection in captive and free-ranging wild cane toads to assess parasite impacts on host immune responses. First, we administered the anthelmintic drug Ivermectin to both infected and uninfected toads, to distinguish drug effects per se from the impacts of killing Lungworms. Worms began dying and decomposing
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The impact of lungworm parasites on rates of dispersal of their anuran host, the invasive cane toad
Biological Invasions, 2016Co-Authors: Gregory P Brown, Crystal Kelehear, Ligia Pizzatto, Richard ShineAbstract:Translocation of native-range parasites to control invasive species is effective only if the parasite substantially impairs either the viability or dispersal rate of the invasive host. Lungworms ( Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala ) of cane toads ( Rhinella marina ) were introduced to Australia from the toad’s native range, along with the toads, and have been suggested as a potential biocontrol of invasive toads due to various negative impacts on toad viability. We conducted two radio-telemetry studies on a tropical floodplain to specifically assess the parasite’s impact on toad dispersal. First, a retrospective correlative analysis of data from field-collected animals showed that toads infected with Lungworms moved farther, not less, than uninfected conspecifics. Second, an experimental study (comparing movements of experimentally infected toads vs. uninfected controls) showed that Lungworms did not modify rates of toad dispersal. In addition, experimental infection with Lungworms did not elicit an immune response substantial enough to influence dispersal behaviour. Thus, we conclude that increasing lungworm densities at the invasion front as an attempt at biocontrol would not slow down the spread of cane toads.
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host parasite interactions during a biological invasion the fate of Lungworms rhabdias spp inside native and novel anuran hosts
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife, 2015Co-Authors: Felicity B L Nelson, Gregory P Brown, Catherine M Shilton, Richard ShineAbstract:The cane toad invasion in Australia provides a robust opportunity to clarify the infection process in co-evolved versus de novo host–parasite interactions. We investigated these infection dynamics through histological examination following experimental infections of metamorphs of native frogs (Cyclorana australis) and cane toads (Rhinella marina) with Rhabdias hylae (the lungworm found in native frogs) and Rhabdias pseudosphaerocephala (the lungworm found in cane toads). Cane toads reared under continuous exposure to infective larvae of the frog lungworm were examined after periods of 2, 6, 10 and 15 days. Additionally, both toads and frogs were exposed for 24 h to larvae of either the toad or the frog lungworm, and examined 2, 5, 10 and 20 days post-treatment. R. hylae (frog) Lungworms entered cane toads and migrated through the body but were not found in the target tissue, the lungs. Larvae of both lungworm species induced inflammation in both types of hosts, although the immune response (relative numbers of different cell types) differed between hosts and between parasite species. Co-evolution has modified the immune response elicited by infection and (perhaps for that reason) has enhanced the parasite's ability to survive and to reach the host's lungs.
