Elusive Angiostrongylus vasorum infections (original) (raw)
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Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 2023
Introduction: Angiostrongylus vasorum (A. vasorum) is a widely distributed gastropod-borne nematode, causing severe cardio-pulmonary disorders in dogs. In Romania, A. vasorum was detected in foxes and serologically confirmed in domestic dogs, but no clinical cases are currently diagnosed. Methods: Four dogs with clinical history of respiratory distress, originating from di erent geographical regions of Romania, were included in the study. One dog (case) was clinically evaluated using thoracic radiology and cardiac ultrasound; examination of feces and PCR were also performed for the etiologic diagnosis. The postmortem exam was performed in the other three cases, followed by parasitological and molecular analyses. Results: In the first case, parasitic pneumonia was suspected based on the radiographic examination of the thorax and the infection with A. vasorum was confirmed by L morphological identification and PCR. The main postmortem changes included large, coalescing, dark red areas of pulmonary consolidation (n =) and numerous adult nematodes in the pulmonary arteries (n =). The histopathological examination of the lungs showed necrotizing and granulomatous pneumonia with severe hemorrhages and chronic pulmonary arterial changes. Intralesional nematodes were seen in all necropsied cases. Additional inflammatory changes related to A. vasorum infection were identified in the brain and tracheobronchial and mediastinal lymph nodes (n =). Identification of larvae, histopathology and PCR confirmed the infection with A. vasorum. Conclusions: This study describes the first cases of canine cardiopulmonary angiostrongylosis in domestic dogs in Romania, and focuses on clinical presentation, pathological findings and molecular analysis. Angiostrongylosis should be included on the list of di erential diagnoses of canine cardiopulmonary distress and/or haemorrhagic diathesis in Romania and awareness should be raised among clinicians to avoid post-mortem diagnosis in the future.
Occurrence of fatal canine Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in Italy
Veterinary Parasitology, 2008
Two cases of fatal canine angiostrongylosis, occurred in a short-time between them in Italy, are described. Both animals presented with severe cardio-respiratory signs and died shortly after admission. At necropsy, both dogs showed lung haemorrhagic lesions, thrombosis of the pulmonary arteries and dilatation of the right heart chambers. Adult nematodes, identified as Angiostrongylus vasorum, were recovered from the heart and/or the pulmonary arteries of the dead animals. The present report focuses on the clinical and parasitological aspects of the two cases and underlines that canine angiostrongylosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of dogs with cardio-pulmonary disorders in southern Europe. #
Highly Variable Clinical Pictures in Dogs Naturally Infected with Angiostrongylus vasorum
Pathogens
Canine angiostrongylosis by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly reported in both enzootic and previously free areas. The complex pathogenesis of the disease makes the clinical workup challenging. Infected dogs show highly variable clinical pictures, characterized by subclinical to life-threatening general, cardio-respiratory, neurological and/or gastrointestinal signs. The present study reports the high variability of clinical pictures from 36 dogs across central and southern Italy that were naturally infected by A. vasorum. Of them, 23 (63.9%) presented at least one clinical sign, while 13 (36.1%) were subclinically infected and apparently healthy. Overall, 19 dogs (52.8%) showed cardiorespiratory signs, 14 (38.9%) had non-specific abnormalities, 2 (5.6%) presented coagulation disorders and 1 (2.8%) had a severe neurological condition. Importantly, four dogs presenting with clinical signs had neither cough nor dyspnea. These results underline that angiostrongylosis should be in...
Journal of Veterinary Science & Medical Diagnosis, 2012
Canine angiostrongylosis is a cardiopulmonary disease emerging in Europe, which can be fatal if left untreated. An early diagnosis and appropriate treatment is auspicable, not only in symptomatic dogs because it may lead to a complete clinical resolution, but also in asymptomatic dogs to reduce the risk of parasite importation in new areas suitable for parasite establishment. The aim of the present work is to investigate the different clinical and paraclinical findings in both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs naturally infected by Angiostrongylus vasorum. Twelve dogs were included in the study. Diagnosis was made by means of larval morphological identification on faecal samples. Pathological paraclinical findings were registered both in symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. In particular, the increase in β-globulin fraction at serum protein electrophoresis and radiographic alterations were reported as useful findings to increase the suspicion of infection in asymptomatic dogs.
Angiostrongylus vasorum in 20 dogs in the province of Chieti, Italy
After a case of Angiostrongylus vasorum (canine lungworm) was diagnosed in the province of Chieti (Italy) in early 2008, parasitological research was conducted to investigate the presence of the parasite in dogs in the area. A total of 178 dogs, 56 carcasses and 122 stool samples were examined between January and September 2008. The carcasses were examined for the presence of adult parasites in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery, and larval forms in the internal organ and brain tissues. The faeces were inspected for larval form L1 using three diagnostic methods that are currently used to test for endoparasites and larvae of bronchopulmonary strongyles. A total of 20 cases of canine angiostrongylosis were diagnosed (8.9%), with adult parasites being identified in 5 dogs, and L1 larvae in another 15. The anatomo-pathological examination of the carcasses of the dogs infested with adult nematodes revealed pneumonia, pleurisy, reddish foam in the trachea, effusion of serohaemorrhagic fluid in the thoracic cavity and enlarged mediastinic and mesenteric lymph nodes. Histological examination of the tissues showed serious, similar syndromes with lesions caused by colonisation of the kidneys, lymph nodes and brain by the parasites. Given the large number of cases confirmed in relation to the period of study (9 months), it is essential to include angiostrongylosis among the differential diagnoses made in clinical and post-mortem examinations of dogs in the province of Chieti and in the neighbouring areas.
BMC Veterinary Research
Background: In Italy, Angiostrongylus vasorum, an emergent parasite, is being diagnosed in dogs from areas considered free of infection so far. As clinical signs are multiple and common to other diseases, its diagnosis can be challenging. In particular, in areas where angiostrongylosis and dirofilariosis overlap, a misleading diagnosis of cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis might occur even on the basis of possible misleading outcomes from diagnostic kits. Case presentation: Two Cavalier King Charles spaniel dogs from an Italian breeding in the Northwest were referred to a private veterinary hospital with respiratory signs. A cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis was diagnosed and the dogs treated with ivermectin, but one of them died. At necropsy, pulmonary oedema, enlargement of tracheo-bronchial lymphnodes and of cardiac right side were detected. Within the right ventricle lumen, adults of A. vasorum were found. All dogs from the same kennel were subjected to faecal examination by FLOTAC and Baermann's techniques to detect A. vasorum first stage larvae; blood analysis by Knott's for Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae, and antigenic tests for both A. vasorum (Angio Detect™) and D.immitis (DiroCHEK® Heartworm, Witness®Dirofilaria). The surviving dog with respiratory signs resulted positive for A. vasorum both at serum antigens and larval detection. Its Witness® test was low positive similarly to other four dogs from the same kennel, but false positive results due to cross reactions with A. vasorum were also considered. No dogs were found infected by A. vasorum. Eventually, the investigation was deepened by browsing the pathological database of Veterinary Pathology Laboratories at Veterinary School of Milan University through 1998-2016, where 11 cases of angiostrongylosis were described. Two out of 11 dogs had a mixed infection with Crenosoma vulpis. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the need for accurate surveys to acquire proper epidemiological data on A. vasorum infection in Northwestern Italy and for appropriate diagnostic methods. Veterinary clinicians should be warned about the occurrence of this canine parasite and the connected risk of a misleading diagnosis, particularly in areas endemic for cardiopulmonary dirofilariosis.
Veterinary research, 2014
The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive update on the biology, epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of canine cardio-pulmonary angiostrongylosis. This cardiopulmonary disease is caused by infection by the metastrongyloid nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum. The parasite has an indirect life cycle that involves at least two different hosts, gastropod molluscs (intermediate host) and canids (definitive host). A. vasorum represents a common and serious problem for dogs in areas of endemicity, and because of the expansion of its geographical boundaries to many areas where it was absent or uncommon; its global burden is escalating. A. vasorum infection in dogs can result in serious disorders with potentially fatal consequences. Diagnosis in the live patient depends on faecal analysis, PCR or blood testing for parasite antigens or anti-parasite antibodies. Identification of parasites in fluids and tissues is rarely possible except post mortem, wh...
Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, 2008
Fifty-six dogs from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada, were evaluated for Angiostrongylus vasorum infection. Small numbers of nematodes were found within pulmonary arteries of 6 dogs. Larvae were identified in fecal samples in 2 of 6 dogs. All 6 dogs had multifocal granulomatous pneumonia and sometimes foci of chronic thrombosis, which varied from very mild to severe. One dog had extensive pulmonary lesions resulting in cor pulmonale. Right heart failure was characterized by right ventricular hypertrophy, hepatic congestion, ascites, and hydrothorax. Microscopically, in most cases, eggs, larvae, and sometimes intravascular adults, were present within lung tissue sections. Small foci of granulomatous inflammation with and without larvae were present in kidney and brain in 4 dogs. An additional dog, diagnosed antemortem with angiostrongylosis via fecal examination, was also examined. Pathological findings consisted of severe pyogranulomatous interstitial pneumonia with myriad eggs, larvae, and numerous intravascular pulmonary adult nematodes with extensive arterial thrombosis. Five hundred and seventy-two adult worms were removed from pulmonary arteries. Foci of granulomatous inflammation, often associated with larvae and/or eggs, were present in tracheobronchial lymph nodes, adrenal gland, brain, and kidneys. Severe seizuring noted antemortem was attributed to several large, discrete areas of acute hemorrhagic infarction within the cerebrum and cerebellum. Natural A. vasorum infection in domestic dogs in eastern Newfoundland causes lung pathology of variable severity, which in some cases, may progress to cor pulmonale and which may be associated with extrapulmonary lesions and clinical signs.
Disease caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum is increasingly diagnosed in dogs, as the geographic range of the parasite increases along with awareness among clinicians. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention are not always straightforward, although recent developments offer hope for improved options in future. Understanding of the epidemiology and pathogenesis remains poor. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge of this parasitic disease, focussing on the most recent developments and advances. Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in dogs: continuing spread and developments in diagnosis and treatment ttp://www.bsava.com/
Haemothorax associated with Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a dog
Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2008
Angiostrongylosis was diagnosed in a dog presenting with haemothorax on the basis of detection of Angiostrongylus vasorum first-stage larvae both in the pleural effusion and in faeces. A one-year-old, male, mixed-breed dog was presented with fever, depression and persistent cough of one month's duration. Clinical examination revealed temperature of 39 5°C, loud bronchovesicular sounds on thoracic auscultation and attenuated cardiac sounds. Thoracic radiographs showed a moderate bilateral pleural effusion and a diffuse interstitial pulmonary pattern, with an alveolar pattern in one lobe. Routine haematology revealed anaemia and leucocytosis with eosinophilia, basophilia and thrombocytopenia. Coagulation assays showed a consumptive coagulopathy resembling disseminated intravascular coagulation. The relationship between haemothorax and the presence of A vasorum larvae in the pleural effusion is discussed. The dog was successfully treated with fenbendazole until negative for larvae on faecal examination. This case report indicates that A vasorum infection should be considered as a possible aetiological cause of haemothorax in dogs.