Kravchenko A. Aelurostrongilus in cats (epizootiology, diagnosis, treatment)

The dissertation provides a theoretical overview and an experimental resolution of the scientific problem related to the prevalence, laboratory diagnosis, and treatment of feline aelurostrongylosis in Zakarpattia region (Ukraine). It was established that the prevalence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus among cats was 7.6% based on coprological examination using the Baermann technique, with the peak of infection occurring in the autumn-winter period (76% of positive cases). First-stage larvae were identified by their characteristic S-shaped tail and dorsal spine (length – 370±25 µm). The most common clinical signs observed in infected cats were coughing (38.5%), increased vesicular breathing (46.2%), respiratory distress (34.6%), and tachypnea (19.2%). Radiographic changes were found in all infected animals: bronchial (92%), interstitial (68%), and alveolar (43%), which correlated with larval counts in feces. Hematological and biochemical studies in infected cats showed increased leukocyte counts by 43.5%, eosinophils by 100%, fibrinogen by 90.3%, and a 2.9-fold increase in the fibrinogen/albumin ratio. At the same time, a decrease in platelet count by 38.9% and albumin levels by 29.6% was noted, indicating immune activation, pronounced inflammation, and impaired protein metabolism. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) revealed A. abstrusus larvae in 49% of the examined cats. Pathological changes included nodular lung lesions, productive-destructive vasculitis, granulomatous inflammation, and alveolar hyperelastosis. Molecular diagnosis (PCR targeting the ITS2 locus) was performed for the first time in Ukraine and showed 100% sensitivity. Ukrainian isolates were submitted to GenBank (accession numbers PQ579817–PQ579819) and showed genetic similarity to European strains. Combined therapy with moxidectin/imidacloprid resulted in full recovery within 30 days (IE and EE – 100%), whereas fenbendazole was less effective (IE – 77.7%, EE – 77.8%).