title: OCCURRENCE OF LUNGWORMS IN EUROPEAN WILDCATS (FELIS SILVESTRIS SILVESTRIS) OF CENTRAL ITALY.
abstract: The increasing focus on infections in domestic cats ( Felis catus ) has raised questions about lungworm distribution in wild hosts. To enhance knowledge of the occurrence of lungworms in enzootic regions of central Italy, we examined the carcasses of 16 European wildcats ( Felis silvestris silvestris). Adult nematodes, feces, respiratory flushings, and pulmonary tissues were collected at necropsy and then microscopically and genetically analyzed. Fourteen wildcats had single or mixed lungworm species. Aelurostrongylus abstrusus was the most common parasite retrieved, followed by Troglostrongylus brevior. In addition, three specimens of Angiostrongylus chabaudi were found in the pulmonary arteries of one wildcat. Histologically, the most common lesions were a mild-to-severe chronic catarrhal bronchitis and a chronic interstitial pneumonia with smooth muscle hypertrophy, associated with T. brevior and A. abstrusus , respectively. These results demonstrate that the European wildcats may harbor several species of lungworms that may impair their health and welfare. Also, F. s. silvestris is a potential reservoir for respiratory nematodes in domestic cats.
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Veronesi
authors.affiliation: 2   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Donato
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Traversa
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Elvio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lepri
authors.affiliation: 1   Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Morganti
authors.affiliation: 3   Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di sotto, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vercillo
authors.affiliation: 3   Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di sotto, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Dorian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grelli
authors.affiliation: 4   Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Rudi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cassini
authors.affiliation: 5   Department of Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71121, Foggia, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marangi
authors.affiliation: 2   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Iorio
authors.affiliation: 3   Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Via Elce di sotto, 06132, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Bernardino
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ragni
authors.affiliation: 2   Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Teaching Veterinary Hospital, University of Teramo, 64100, Teramo, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Di Cesare
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045991:Felis / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008174:Lung Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008681:Metastrongyloidea / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus; Capillaria aerophila; Felis silvestris silvestris; Italy; Troglostrongylus brevior