Non-intestinal canine and feline nematodes in Italy: occurrence, risk factors and clinical features

Different epidemiological drivers have led to an emergence of non-intestinal nematodes affecting dogs and cats in Europe [1]. Given the merit to keep high our attention, this survey has evaluated occurrence, possible risk factors and clinical aspects of infections caused by major non-intestinal nematodes in dogs and cats from selected Italian regions. A total of 1055 dogs were sampled for faeces and blood in Abruzzo (site A, n=218), Marche (site B, n=116), Molise (site C, n=69), Puglia (site D, n=210) Lazio (site E, n=171), Campania (site F, n=83), Veneto (site G, n=68), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (site H, n=66) and San Pietro Island (site I, n=54). Also, 1000 cat faecal samples were collected in sites A (n=380), B (n=103), C (n=111), E (n=172), G (n=45), H (n=32), I (n=94) and Piemonte (site J, n=63). Samples were examined using conventional and molecular methods to identify parasite elements at the species level. Associations between prevalence and epidemiological data, and between clinical manifestations and positivity to parasites were statistically evaluated. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (cats) and Angiostrongylus vasorum (dogs) were recorded with an overall prevalence of 10.3% and 3.4%. Capillaria aerophila was found in 3.4% (cats) and 2% (dogs). The infection rate of other species were Troglostrongylus brevior 3.2% in cats, and Capillaria boehmi 1.2%, Dirofilaria immitis 1.7%, Dirofilaria repens 1.6%, Crenosoma vulpis 0.2% in dogs. Angiostrongylus vasorum was found in sites A (4.1%), C (5.8%), E (4.1%) and F (19.3%), C. boehmi in sites A (1.4%), D (1.4%), E (3.5%), H (1.5%) and C. vulpis in site D (0.9%). Microfilariae of D. immitis were found in dogs from sites G (2.9%), H (1.5%) and I (27.3%), while those of D. repens in sites A (2.8%), D (0.5%), and I (18.5%). Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was detected in sites A (10%), B (3.9%), C (3.6%), E (4.7%), H (3.1%), I (38.3%), J (20.6%) while T. brevior in sites A (5.8%), C (1.8%), E (4.7%). Capillaria aerophila was found in sites A (cats 4.7%; dogs 3.7%), B (cats 0.9%), C (cats 5.4%), D (dogs 0.5%), E (cats 1.7%; dogs 3.5%), G (cats 2.2%; dogs 2.9%), H (cats 6.2%; dogs 6.1%), I (cats 2.1%), J (cats 1.6%). Outdoor access was associated with higher prevalence of A. vasorum in dogs and C. aerophila and A. abstrusus in cats. Cats ageing <1 year resulted more prone to be infected with T. brevior and A. abstrusus. Cardio-respiratory signs were associated with higher prevalence of A. vasorum, C. aerophila (in dogs), T. brevior and A. abstrusus, while “other clinical signs” (i.e. except cardio-respiratory, gastrointestinal and coagulopathies-related), were found more frequently in dogs with angiostrongylosis than in dogs with other parasitoses. No other difference was found. These data underline that a parasitic cardio-pulmonary disease should be always suspected in the presence of compatible signs in dogs and cats in Italy, and that parasitological vigilance and increased awareness of veterinarians are of overriding importance under both epidemiological and clinical standpoints.