Nematode Infections in Canine and Feline Respiratory Systems
Summary
Nematode infections affecting the respiratory tracts of dogs and cats represent a growing challenge in veterinary medicine worldwide. These parasites, which include lungworms such as Angiostrongylus vasorum, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Crenosoma vulpis and Eucoleus aerophilus, follow indirect life cycles often involving gastropod intermediate hosts. Once infective larvae reach the definitive host, they migrate through the pulmonary vasculature or airways, provoking inflammatory reactions, alveolar damage and, in severe cases, haemorrhage or coagulopathies. Clinical presentations vary from subclinical carriage to life-threatening dyspnoea, coughing and exercise intolerance. Diagnosis relies on copromicroscopic techniques, serological assays and, increasingly, molecular methods, while imaging may support assessment of respiratory compromise. The observed expansion of geographical ranges and reports of mixed infections underscore the importance of surveillance, improved diagnostics and targeted prophylaxis. Contemporary research emphasises the interplay between host immunity, environmental factors and parasite biology, informing control strategies and therapeutic protocols that aim to reduce both clinical burden and zoonotic risk.
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Nematode Infections in Canine and Feline Respiratory Systems publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in nematode infections in canine and feline respiratory systems across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Metastrongyloid: A subgroup of lung-dwelling nematodes infecting the respiratory or vascular systems of mammals.
Gastropod intermediate host: A snail or slug species in which larval stages of lungworms develop before infecting carnivore hosts.
Baermann funnel technique: A laboratory method for isolating nematode larvae from faecal or respiratory samples by allowing them to migrate through water.
Seroprevalence: The proportion of a population that tests positive for specific antibodies or antigens in blood serum, indicating exposure to a pathogen.
Meta-analysis: A statistical approach that combines data from multiple independent studies to identify overall trends and effect sizes.
References
- Occurrence of Eucoleus aerophilus in wild and domestic animals: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasites & Vectors (2023).
- Nationwide Seroprevalence Survey of Angiostrongylus vasorum-Derived Antigens and Specific Antibodies in Dogs from Colombia. Microorganisms (2022).
- Updates on feline aelurostrongylosis and research priorities for the next decade. Parasites & Vectors (2016).
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