Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Detecting lungworm infection in cats using lavage and fecal tests
By Lacorcia, Lauren et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2009·Department of Veterinary Science, Australia·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Comparison of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid examination and other diagnostic techniques with the Baermann technique for detection of naturally occurring Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 80 semi-feral domestic cats was examined for a lungworm infection called Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which can cause respiratory issues. Researchers compared several diagnostic tests, including a fecal test known as the Baermann technique, which turned out to be the most effective at detecting the infection. They found that about 14% of the cats had this infection, highlighting the importance of considering it in cats showing respiratory symptoms. The Baermann technique showed the highest sensitivity, meaning it was the best at correctly identifying infected cats.
People also search for: cat coughing treatment · lungworm infection in cats · Aelurostrongylus abstrusus symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid examination and other diagnostic techniques, compared with the use of the Baermann technique performed on fecal samples as the reference standard, for detection of naturally occurring Aelurostrongylus abstrusus infection in a population of cats. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Cadavers of 80 semiferal domestic cats. PROCEDURES: BAL fluid collection and analysis, necropsy, examination of fecal samples and minced lung tissue via the Baermann technique, fecal sedimentation-flotation, and histologic examination of lung tissue were performed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) for detection of A abstrusus infection were calculated. RESULTS: On the basis of fecal Baermann test results, prevalence of infection was 13.8%. Sensitivity (NPV) of tests was as follows: Baermann technique on minced lung tissue, 81.8% (97.2%); fecal flotation-sedimentation, 63.6% (94.5%); stereomicroscopic examination of BAL fluid combined with cytologic examination of BAL fluid, 54.5% (93.2%); stereomicroscopic examination of BAL fluid alone, 45.4% (92.0%); cytologic examination of BAL fluid alone, 36.4% (90.8%); histologic examination of lung tissue, 45.4% (91.8%); and gross lung appearance, 36.4% (90.8%). Specificity and PPV of all tests were 100%, with the exception of histologic examination of lung tissue (specificity, 97.1%; PPV, 71.4%), which identified infected cats that had negative fecal Baermann test results. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Baermann technique was the most sensitive test for detection of A abstrusus infection. On the basis of the prevalence of 13.8% in this study, A abstrusus infection should be considered in pet cats.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19566453/