Paraparesis due to angio-neurotropic in a domestic cat () and retrospective study on feline gurltiosis cases in South America.

INTRODUCTION

The nematode is a neglected angio-neurotropic parasite causing chronic meningomyelitis in domestic cats () as well as wild felids of the genus in South America. Adult nematodes parasitize the leptomeningeal veins of the subarachnoid space and/or meningeal veins of the spinal cord parenchyma. The geographic range of encompasses rural and peri-urban regions of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Colombia and Brazil.

METHODS

This case report presents clinical and pathological findings of a -infected cat suffering from severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis resulting in ambulatory paraparesis. Neurological examination of affected cat localized the lesions at the thoracolumbar (T3-L3) and lumbosacral (L4-Cd4) segments. Molecular and morphological characteristics of extracted nematodes from parasitized spinal cord veins confirmed . Additionally, data obtained from a questionnaire answered by cat owners of 12 past feline gurltiosis cases (2014-2015) were here analyzed. Questionnaire collected data on age, gender, geographic location, type of food, hunting behavior, type of prey, and other epidemiological features of -infected cats.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Data revealed that the majority of cats originated from rural settlements thereby showing outdoor life styles with hunting/predatory behaviors, being in close contact to wild life [i.e. gastropods, amphibians, reptiles, rodents, birds, and wild felids ()] and with minimal veterinary assistance. Overall, this neglected angio-neurotropic nematode still represents an important etiology of severe thrombophlebitis and meningomyelitis of domestic cats living in endemic rural areas with high biodiversity of definitive hosts (DH), intermediary (IH), and paratenic hosts (PH). The intention of this study is to generate awareness among veterinary surgeons as well as biologists on this neglected feline neuroparasitosis not only affecting domestic cats but also endangered wild felid species of the genus within the South American continent.