MIXED INFECTION BY AELUROSTRONGYLUS ABSTRUSUS AND TROGLOSTRONGYLUS BREVIOR IN A KITTEN FROM SARDINIA REGION (ITALY)

INTRODUCTION: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae) is regarded as important lungworm specie of domestic felids. Recently also Troglostrongylus spp. (Strongylida, Crenosomatidae), has been described in domestic cats with growing number of cases in Southern Italy (Brianti et al., 2014, Vet. Parasitol, S0304-4017: 00061-2), having an indirect life cycle, which overlaps that of the better known A. abstrusus. Adult worms of both genera have distinct morphology and localization within the lung tissue of the definitive hosts. The presence of these parasites in the airways of the definitive hosts may cause significant respiratory signs. This study describes a mixed infection by these lungworms in a kitten coming from Sardinia (Capo Comino), but resident in the province of Bologna. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The fecal sample of a 3 months old small cat was sent on October 8, 2013 at the Dept. of Veterinary Medical Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy, for routine examinations. Copromicroscopical examination carried out with a floating solution (PS 1300) and by Baerman apparatus, showed the presence of larvae (L1). The kitten was clinically evaluated and subjected to X-ray exams. Larvae found in each microscopic field were morphometrically and morphologically examined individually and identified based on their size and appearance of the tail and the head. DNA was extracted from L1 larvae and then processed by PCR amplyfing ITS2 ribosomal RNA as described by Tamponi et al. (2014 in press). RESULTS: The morphology and the size of the larvae was indicative for mixed infection of A. abstrusus and Troglostrongylus spp.. Clinical examination was normal and chest X-ray showed a diffuse alveolar-interstitial pattern with an increased soft tissue opacity in the right caudal lobe. ITS2 sequences showed a 100% homology those of T. brevior and A. abstrusus. The kitten firstly was treated with Prednisone 2.5 mg for 5 days and Imidacloprid 10%/Moxidectin 1% Spot-on (Traversa et al., 2009, Parasitol. Res., 105: s55-s62). Fecal examination repeated on October 30, 2013 tested still positive while, at x ray the pulmonary framework was improved; the kitten was treated again with the spot-on. After a further period spent in Sardinia, on January 28, 2014 fecal examination revealed again the presence of larvae and a third treatment, increasing the dosage on the spot on was performed. The last control on March 6, 2014 tested negative and the clinical pictures allowed us to be considered the cat healed. CONCLUSIONS: Lungworm parasitic infection of the cat are usually reported as due to A. abstrusus, while there are scarce reports of other lung nematodes; this could be due to the lack of accurate evaluation of morphometrical features of L1 during coprological diagnosis. This case in a cat coming from Sardinia confirms the spreading of these parasites, and in particular of T. brevior in this island as recently reported in other surveys (Tamponi et al. 2014 in press). This genera is usually reported as few pathogen, unlike A. abstrusus. In our case, despite the double infestation, the subject showed no obvious clinical signs, even if the framework of lung was altered and improved following therapy.