''Aelurostrongylus abstrusus'' is a species of

nematode The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Species in the phylum inhabit a broad range of environments. Most species are free-living, feeding on microorganisms, but many are parasitic. Parasitic worms (h ...

from the family

Angiostrongylidae Angiostrongylidae is a family of nematodes belonging to the order Rhabditida. Genera: * ''Aelurostrongylus ''Aelurostrongylus'' is a genus of nematodes The nematodes ( or ; ; ), roundworms or eelworms constitute the phylum Nematoda. Spe ...

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. The ''Aelurostrongylus abstrusus'' is a cosmopolitan parasite found to be living in the bronchi and alveoli of the lungs of infected cats. Those infected tend to not show many symptoms, if any, as the infection is asymptomatic, leading to shorter lifespans of cats that have been infected. This parasite is typically found in Europe, but also can be found in Africa, Australia, and North and South America.

Hosts

Intermediate host In biology and medicine, a host is a larger organism that harbours a smaller organism; whether a parasitic, a mutualistic, or a commensalist ''guest'' (symbiont). The guest is typically provided with nourishment and shelter. Examples include ...

s include: * land snail ''

Achatina fulica ''Lissachatina fulica'' is a species of large land snail that belongs in the subfamily Achatininae of the family Achatinidae. It is also known as the giant African land snail. It shares the common name "giant African snail" with other species of ...

'' * land snail '' Thelidomus aspera'' * garden snail ''Cornu aspersum'' Final hosts include: * cats (family

Felidae Felidae ( ) is the Family (biology), family of mammals in the Order (biology), order Carnivora colloquially referred to as cats. A member of this family is also called a felid ( ). The 41 extant taxon, extant Felidae species exhibit the gre ...

)

References

* Studzińska, M. B., Demkowska-Kutrzepa, M., Komsta, R., Tomczuk, K., Kruczek, A., Junkuszew, A., & Dudko, P. (2017). Aelurostrongylus abstrusus - The Cause of Respiratory Disease. Medycyna Weterynaryjna, 73(11), 739–742. https://doi.org/10.21521/mw.5793 * Morelli, S., Colombo, M., Diakou, A., Traversa, D., Grillini, M., Frangipane di Regalbono, A., & Di Cesare, A. (2021). The Influence of Temperature on the Larval Development of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in the Land Snail Cornu aspersum. Pathogens, 10(8), 960. https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10080960

Hosts

References

Further reading