Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, a common feline lungworm

Thoracic computed tomography, angiographic computed tomography, and pathology findings in six cats experimentally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Matthias Dennler, Danielle A. Bass, Beatriz Gutierrez-Crespo, Manuela Schnyder, Franco Guscetti, Angela Di Cesare, Peter Deplazes, Patrick R. Kircher, Tony M. Glaus,

Background
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most common feline lungworm, causing variable respiratory disease. Diagnosis is challenging due to inconsistent larval shedding and the limitations of routine fecal examinations. Computed tomography (CT) offers superior visualization of pulmonary lesions compared to traditional radiography, but its role in diagnosing feline aelurostrongylosis is not well defined. This study aimed to characterize CT and angiographic CT findings in cats experimentally infected with A. abstrusus and correlate them with pathology.

Methods
Six research cats were inoculated with either 100 or 800 A. abstrusus larvae and monitored over 81 days. Serial CT scans were performed before infection, at 48 days post-inoculation, and at 81 days. Thoracic radiographs and histopathology of the lungs were also analyzed. CT lesions were categorized by severity, location, and progression, and findings were compared to histological changes.

Results
CT revealed multifocal pulmonary nodules, ground-glass opacities, and thickened bronchi, with severity correlating to infection dose. Lesions were distributed throughout all lung lobes. Histology confirmed that CT-detected nodules corresponded to granulomatous inflammation, eosinophilic infiltrates, and alveolar damage. Angiographic CT showed no evidence of pulmonary arterial involvement. Compared to CT, radiographs were less sensitive in detecting early and mild disease.

Limitations
The small sample size limits broader applicability. Experimental infections may not fully mimic natural disease progression. CT evaluation was subjective, and interobserver variability was not assessed. Long-term effects beyond 81 days were not investigated.

Conclusions
CT effectively identifies pulmonary changes associated with A. abstrusus infection, providing a noninvasive diagnostic tool superior to radiography. Findings correlate well with histopathology, supporting CT's role in diagnosing and monitoring feline lungworm disease. Further studies are needed to validate its use in naturally infected cats and to refine diagnostic criteria.

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