Journal
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
Volume 153, Issue 1-2, Pages 182-186Publisher
ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2008.01.024
Keywords
aelurostrongylus abstrusus; Italy; diagnosis; epidemiology; risk factors
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Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (Nematoda, Strongylida) in cats and associated risk factors have been investigated by classical coprology in central (site A) and southern (site B) Italy, i.e. by floatations with sugar and zinc sulphate solutions and a Baermann technique. Overall, 227 individual stool samples (i.e. 162 from site A and 65 from site B) were processed and risk factors were related to infection by binary logistic multiple-regression models. The presence of A. abstrusus was used as the dependent variable and the epidemiological data as independent variables. Twenty-eight (17.3%) and 12 (18.5%) cats were positive for A. abstrusus in sites A and 13, respectively, both using the Baermann and flotation with zinc sulphate solution methods. Six and three (from site A and B, respectively) of the infected cats were negative for A. abstrusus when faeces were processed with sugar solution. Stray and free-ranging (P = 0.357), young cats (P = 0.008) and the presence of respiratory symptoms (P = 0.000) were risk factors for A. abstrusus infection. The results suggest that A. abstrusus is spread in Italy. Furthermore, these results possibly include infection in the differential diagnosis of feline respiratory diseases and offer a correct diagnostic approach by using either a Baermann method or flotation with zinc sulphate solution in suspected cases. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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