Exam I - Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Question 1

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is commonly known as:

Answer 1

the cat lungworm

Question 2

What is/are the final host(s) for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?

Answer 2

cats… it’s the cat lungworm

Question 3

What is/are the intermediate host(s) for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?

Answer 3

Intermediate hosts are snails and slugs

Question 4

What is/are the paratenic host(s) for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?

Answer 4

Paratenic hosts are birds, rodents and frogs.

Question 5

Describe the appearance of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus adults

Answer 5

Adults are 1 cm in length.

They are slender and delicate and therefore difficult to recover intact.

Question 6

Describe the appearance of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus L₁

Answer 6

L₁ present in feces reveals characteristic kink or S-shaped tail.

Question 7

Describe the life cycle for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Answer 7

• L₃ are infective, ingested, enter mucosa of intestine & pass via blood to the lungs.
• Female nematodes lay eggs with L₁ in “nests” in the lung parenchyma. These appear as small grayish white nodules.
• Eggs hatch liberating L₁ & these are coughed up, swallowed & passed in the feces.
• Further development occurs when these L₁ enter an intermediate host and develop to L₃.
• Cats become infected when they ingest an intermediate host or paratenic host.
• L₃ develop and encyst in the tissues of the mollusc, and undergo no further development until a cat ingests them.
• PPP is approximately 6-12 wk.

Question 8

What is/are the site(s) of infection for Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?

Answer 8

Lung parenchyma and bronchioles. Aggregations of adults, eggs and larvae present throughout the lung tissue.

Question 9

What are some clinical signs associated with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus?

Answer 9

Slight and in resting cat limited to a chronic mild cough; following exercise or handling there may be coughing or sneezing.