Pathogenesis and Diagnostics of Angiostrongylus vasorum Infection

Dear Colleagues,

Discovered in the 19^th century in France, Angiostrongylus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary nematode of dogs and wild carnivores and is, therefore, also called “The French heartworm”.

The numerous case reports, prevalence studies and clinical surveys published mainly in the past two decades illustrate, however, the ‘international success’ of this parasite. Adult worms of 1.5-2.5 cm of size reside in the right heart and pulmonary arteries, while their offspring, i.e., first-stage larvae (approx. 365 µm long), cause verminous pneumonia in the definitive canid host. Therefore, canine angiostrongylosis is associated with respiratory distress, but also with bleeding, neurological signs and several other manifestations. This broad range of clinical signs induced by A. vasorum infections has contributed to its attribute of a “great imitator”.

A consequence of the slow but constant establishment of new local hotspots is the risk of misinterpretations and delayed clinical diagnosis of the infection in dogs, particularly in recently discovered endemic areas where disease awareness and the use of appropriate diagnostic procedures are yet not established. Timely diagnosis is, however, important in view of the severe and permanent lung and cardiovascular lesions that may occur. In this context, in addition to copromicroscopic methods detecting the first-stage larvae, serological methods for antigen and antibody detection, as well as biomolecular methods for DNA detection in different substrates, have been developed in order to improve diagnostics for individual animals. Furthermore, diagnostic imaging was shown to be helpful in staging the extent of the lung damage and identifying the potential presence of pulmonary hypertension. Together with single altered laboratory results, these non-pathognomonic findings may be highly indicative for experts in the field.

Despite the major steps forward achieved in diagnostic options, there are still many unresolved key issues that hamper the timely identification of affected animals.

This Special Issue is devoted to collecting original work with the aim of shedding light on some poorly known aspects of this highly fascinating parasite. We focus on diagnostic findings in the clinical and laboratory context and on the pathogenesis of canine angiostrongylosis. The purpose is to unravel questions arising from the available diagnostic options and shed light on some poorly known aspects in the development of the disease.

These aspects are of value in the frame of a) veterinary medicine, in particular for clinical practitioners, and b) parasitology research, by contributing to better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disease, and therefore advancing potential accompanying therapeutic options.

Prof. Dr. Manuela Schnyder
Prof. Dr. Tony M. Glaus
Guest Editors

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• Canine angiostrongylosis
• Angiostrongylus vasorum (French Heartworm)
• Cardiopulmonary nematode
• Disease awareness
• Pathogenesis
• Diagnostics
• Treatment