Survival of first-stage larvae of the cat lungworm Troglostrongylus brevior (Strongylida: Crenosomatidae) under different conditions.
Troglostrongylus brevior has recently been recognised as a neglected causative agent of broncho-pulmonary infestation in domestic cats. Nonetheless, information on the biology and ecology of this nematode is still scarce. In this study, the survival of T. brevior first-stage larvae (L1) was evaluated in water and in faecal samples at different controlled temperatures in the laboratory (i.e., 4 and 26°C) or in the outdoor environment (mean temperature 14±3.1°C). Vitality of larvae was microscopically assessed every 7days, until their death. Larval survival ranged from 7days in both water and faeces at 26°C up to 142days at 4°C, respectively. Larvae maintained in the environment (14°C) survived from 35 up to 63days in faeces and water, respectively. Data herein presented clearly indicate that the survival of T. brevior L1s is negatively correlated with temperature (P<0.001). According to the results of this study, the infection in mollusc intermediate hosts in the Mediterranean area may easily occur during winter/spring, while during hot and dry seasons a reduction of transmission should be expected.
Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Bari, Valenzano, Bari, Italy.
Rafael Antonio Nascimento
RA
Ramos
Alessio
A
Giannelli
Filipe
F
Dantas-Torres
Emanuele
E
Brianti
Domenico
D
Otranto
D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000502:physiology; D008681:Metastrongyloidea / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D014867:Water / Q000469:parasitology
D014867:Water
Environment; Faeces; Survival; Temperature; Troglostrongylus brevior; Water