Presenter of 2 Presentations
ANGIOSTRONGYLUS VASORUM – A CONQUERING CANID CARDIOPULMONARY NEMATODE (ID 2318)
Abstract
Abstract Body
Angiostrongylus vasorum has shown great ability to spread among dog and wild carnivore populations in the past two decades, anticipating its conquest of further areas. The clinical relevance in dogs justifies an increased disease awareness. Due to the massive production of first stage larvae released into the alveolar lung tissues by the adult parasites and the subsequent inflammatory reaction, pneumonia and respiratory signs dominate in dogs with angiostrongylosis. However, dogs may present with several further clinical also non-specific signs, so that the parasite can be considered as ‘Great Imitator’. Especially neurological signs and coagulopathies contribute to the severity of the clinical picture. There are various fascinating interactions between host and parasite explaining the occurrence of bleeding events, which in turn may cause neurological issues. A plethora of diagnostic tools can support veterinarians in identifying infected animals: routine and advanced imaging procedures illustrate the extent of the affected tissues, while classical coproscopic and genetic procedures together with serological methods have different sensitivities and specificities. Once diagnosed, appropriate therapeutic and preventive measures are implemented. Therefore, despite the successful i) unstoppable spreading, ii) clinical relevance, and iii) host-parasite interaction of Angiostrongylus vasorum, animal owners and veterinarians can counteract the deleterious effects of this parasite.HOST-SPECIFIC RESPONSES OF CANIDS TO ANGIOSTRONGYLUS VASORUM INFECTION - A PROTEOMIC ANALYSIS (ID 414)
Abstract
Introduction
The cardiopulmonary nematode Angiostrongylus vasorum can induce respiratory distress and coagulopathies in infected dogs. Clinical signs in foxes, which act as reservoir hosts, are rare, despite high prevalence. We aimed to evaluate the impact of infection on fox coagulation and immune response and to identify differences in comparison with dogs.
Methods
Serum proteins from eight experimentally infected foxes before and after inoculation (4 time points) were analysed by quantitative proteomics and data compared to available dog data.
Results
Bone marrow proteoglycan, chitinase 3-like protein 1, and pulmonary surfactant-associated protein B were the most prominently increased proteins, indicating upregulation of immune and inflammatory responses. Proteins involved in coagulation were either decreased or increased. This was reflected in pathways such as “platelet degranulation” and “haemostasis”, which were enriched through both in- and decreased proteins, implying simultaneous activation and suppression of coagulation in foxes. Qualitative comparison to dog data suggested a more adequate immunopathological response of foxes to A. vasorum infection, possibly facilitating persistence of infection in foxes.
Conclusions
We concluded that foxes may be more tolerant to A. vasorum infection compared to dogs, likely reflecting a longer evolutionary host–parasite adaptation in foxes.
Based on work published in Pathogens 2021, 10, 1513, https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10111513