Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Lung damage in a kitten caused by feline lungworm Troglostrongylus
By Giannelli, Alessio et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2014·Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Pathological and histological findings associated with the feline lungworm Troglostrongylus brevior.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 20-week-old kitten was brought in with severe breathing problems and unfortunately passed away due to respiratory failure. During the examination after death, veterinarians found lungworms in the kitten's airways, which caused significant inflammation and mucus buildup. This case highlights the dangers of a specific lungworm called Troglostrongylus brevior, which has been increasingly seen in cats, especially in Mediterranean regions. The kitten's condition shows how serious lungworm infections can be, and it emphasizes the need for awareness and prevention in affected areas.
People also search for: kitten breathing problems · lungworm in cats · Troglostrongylus brevior treatment
Abstract
Troglostrongylus brevior is a neglected feline lungworm species, which has been increasingly reported in the Mediterranean area, although scant data are available on the respiratory alterations it causes in cats. Therefore, we describe the gross and histological lesions of a 20-week old kitten that succumbed due to the onset of a fulminant respiratory failure. At necropsy, a catarrhal exudate was observed in the airways, along with nematodes in the trachea and bronchi. The lungs were processed for histological examination and serial pulmonary sections were performed. A total of 14 nematodes were collected, being all morphologically and molecularly identified as T. brevior. Lungworms were histologically localized within the bronchial lumen, surrounded by an eosinophilic infiltrate. The presence of T. brevior in the airways has been histologically documented for the first time and its life-threatening potential is discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24912956/