Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior and Capillaria aerophila are the main lungworms of cats and their distribution has progressively expanded throughout the Mediterranean area in the last decade. From September 2024 to May 2026, a total of 776 cats from different areas of central and southern Italy were enrolled (Abruzzo, n. 464; Molise, n. 18; Marche, n. 184; Umbria, n. 56; Tuscany, n. 16; Apulia, n. 38). For each cat, information on signalment and anamnesis were recorded, and an individual fecal sample was collected. Overall, 734 fecal samples were examined using both flotation and the Baermann technique, while 13 and 29 samples were analyzed only by flotation or the Baermann test, respectively. Eighty-four (10.8%) cats tested positive to at least one lungworm. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, T. brevior, and C. aerophila were detected in 53 (6.9%), 31 (4.1%), and 14 (1.9%) cats, respectively. Coinfections were identified in 11 cats, including A. abstrusus with T. brevior (0.4%), A. abstrusus with C. aerophila (0.5%), T. brevior and C. aerophila (0.1%), and all three lungworms simultaneously (0.4%). Statistically significant associations were observed between A. abstrusus and T. brevior positivity and outdoor access (p = 0.007, and p = 0.015, respectively), and also irregular or absent effective antiparasitic treatments (p = 0.028, and p = 0.018, respectively). No regularly treated cats tested positive, suggesting a protective effect of regular antiparasitic treatment. Cats living in colonies were more likely to be infected with A. abstrusus (p = 0.004), whereas no association was observed for T. brevior positivity (p= 0.700). No significant associations were found for C. aerophila, likely due to the low number of positive cats. This study confirms that investigated areas are endemic for feline lungworm infections. Continuous monitoring is necessary to assess the infection risk to which cats are exposed and to increase veterinary awareness of these parasites.
Epidemiology of feline lungworms in Central and Southern Italy
Donatella Damiani;Simone Morelli;Barbara Paoletti;Fabrizia Veronesi;Angela Di Cesare
2026-01-01
Abstract
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Troglostrongylus brevior and Capillaria aerophila are the main lungworms of cats and their distribution has progressively expanded throughout the Mediterranean area in the last decade. From September 2024 to May 2026, a total of 776 cats from different areas of central and southern Italy were enrolled (Abruzzo, n. 464; Molise, n. 18; Marche, n. 184; Umbria, n. 56; Tuscany, n. 16; Apulia, n. 38). For each cat, information on signalment and anamnesis were recorded, and an individual fecal sample was collected. Overall, 734 fecal samples were examined using both flotation and the Baermann technique, while 13 and 29 samples were analyzed only by flotation or the Baermann test, respectively. Eighty-four (10.8%) cats tested positive to at least one lungworm. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, T. brevior, and C. aerophila were detected in 53 (6.9%), 31 (4.1%), and 14 (1.9%) cats, respectively. Coinfections were identified in 11 cats, including A. abstrusus with T. brevior (0.4%), A. abstrusus with C. aerophila (0.5%), T. brevior and C. aerophila (0.1%), and all three lungworms simultaneously (0.4%). Statistically significant associations were observed between A. abstrusus and T. brevior positivity and outdoor access (p = 0.007, and p = 0.015, respectively), and also irregular or absent effective antiparasitic treatments (p = 0.028, and p = 0.018, respectively). No regularly treated cats tested positive, suggesting a protective effect of regular antiparasitic treatment. Cats living in colonies were more likely to be infected with A. abstrusus (p = 0.004), whereas no association was observed for T. brevior positivity (p= 0.700). No significant associations were found for C. aerophila, likely due to the low number of positive cats. This study confirms that investigated areas are endemic for feline lungworm infections. Continuous monitoring is necessary to assess the infection risk to which cats are exposed and to increase veterinary awareness of these parasites.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
