IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Veronesi, F.; Traversa, D.; Lepri, E.; Morganti, G.; Vecillo, F.; Grelli, D.; Cassini, R.; Marangi, M.; Lorio, R.; Ragni, B.; Di Cesare A., | |
| Occurrence of lungworms in European wildcats (_Felis silvestris silvestris_) of central Italy | |
| 2016 Journal of Wildlife Diseases (52): 270-278 | |
The increasing focus on infections in domestic cats (_Felis catus_) has raised questions about lungworm distribution in wild hosts. To enhance knowledge of the occurrence of lungworms in enzootic regions of central Italy, we examined the carcasses of 16 European wildcats (_Felis silvestris silvestris_). Adult nematodes, feces, respiratory flushings, and pulmonary tissues were collected at necropsy and then microscopically and genetically analyzed. Fourteen wildcats had single or mixed lungworm species._ Aelurostrongylus abstrusus_ was the most common parasite retrieved, followed by Troglostrongylus brevior. In addition, three specimens of Angiostrongylus chabaudi were found in the pulmonary arteries of one wildcat. Histologically, the most common lesions were a mild-to-severe chronic catarrhal bronchitis and a chronic interstitial pneumonia with smooth muscle hypertrophy, associated with _T. brevior_ and _A. abstrusus_, respectively. These results demonstrate that the European wildcats may harbor several species of lungworms that may impair their health and welfare. Also, _F. s. silvestris_ is a potential reservoir for respiratory nematodes in domestic cats. |
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