Troglostrongylus brevior and Troglostrongylus subcrenatus (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) as agents of broncho-pulmonary infestation in domestic cats

Abstract

Background: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is currently regarded as the main metastrongyloid infesting domestic cats, whereas the reports of Troglostrongylus spp. in domestic and wild felids largely remain anecdotic. This paper reports on pulmonary infestation caused by Troglostrongylus brevior and Troglostrongylus subcrenatus in two kittens and describes, for the first time, associated clinical presentations and pathological features. Morphometrical, molecular and phylogenetic analyses have also been conducted to differentiate here the examined Troglostrongylus species from A. abstrusus, towards a clearer delineation of metastrongyloids affecting cats.

Methods: Two kittens were referred for respiratory distress and hospitalized with a diagnosis of severe aelurostrongylosis, based on the presence of metastrongyloid larvae in the faeces. Despite prompt treatment, kittens died within 48 hours. Both kittens were submitted to necropsy to determine the cause of death.

Results: At necropsy, nematode specimens were found in the trachea, bronchi and bronchioles and were associated with respiratory signs (i.e., dyspnoea, polypnea, severe coughing and nasal discharge). Morphology and measurements of adult parasites found allowed the unequivocal identification of T. brevior and T. subcrenatus, even if first stage larvae were rather similar to those of A. abstrusus. Briefly, T. brevior and T. subcrenatus larvae were shorter in length and lacking the typical knob-like terminal end of A. abstrusus. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses corroborated morphological identification and provided data on mitochondrial and ribosomal DNA genes of T. brevior.

Conclusions: Data presented here indicate that T. brevior and T. subcrenatus may cause major respiratory distress in domestic cats. Consequently, these two species should be included, along with A. abstrusus, in the differential diagnosis of cat bronchopulmonary affections and treatment protocols need to be evaluated. Through research on the biology, epidemiology and control of Troglostrongylus spp. infestations in domestic cats are advisable to implement current knowledge on these neglected metastrongyloids.

Figure 1

Gross anatomy and parasites collected at the necropsy of case 1. Lungs were congested and swollen, lobular bronchopneumonia was noticed in lobes of the right lung (A). Several parasites were present in respiratory tracts (B-C). A total of twelve slender worms (up to 13 mm length), identified as Troglostrongylus brevior (D), were collected from bronchi and bronchioles.

Figure 2

Gross anatomy and parasites collected at the necropsy of case 2. Lungs were diffusely congested and swollen with a large area of consolidation in the right diaphragmatic lobe (A). Parasites mixed with catarrhal exudate were revealed when cutting the trachea (B), A total of twenty-two whitish nematodes (up to 24 mm length), identified as Troglostrongylus subcrenatus (C) were collected from the trachea and large bronchi.

Figure 3

Light microscope images depicting morphometrical differences of cephalic region, caudal region, male bursa and spicules between Troglostrongylus brevior (A, C, E and G) and Troglostrongylus subcrenatus (B, D, F and H). Scale bars = 100 μm (A-F), 50 μm (G-H).

Figure 4

Light microscope images of first stage larvae (L1) of Troglostrongylus brevior (A), Troglostrongylus subcrenatus (B) and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (C) Magnification of caudal region is provided for each species. Scale bar = 50 μm.

Figure 5

Sub-pleural nodules caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the lungs of a cat (A) Histological sections (HE) showing localization of adult worms of A. abstrusus in the lung parenchyma (B) and in sub-pleural nodules (C) Adult worms (male and female) of A. abstrusus (D).

Figure 6

Phylogenetic trees based on regions of 18S (A) and ITS2 (B) ribosomal DNA sequence data, compared with those of metastrongyloids available in GenBank^TM. The trees were constructed using neighbour-joining (NJ) method (7000 replicates).