Computed tomography, radiology and echocardiography in cats naturally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 446-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Lacava ◽  
Eric Zini ◽  
Federica Marchesotti ◽  
Oriol Domenech ◽  
Francesca Romano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Regional Lymph Node ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Tracheobronchial Lymph Nodes

Objectives The aims of the study were to describe the radiographic and computed tomographic features in cats naturally infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, and to identify signs of pulmonary hypertension with echocardiography. Methods Fourteen cats positive on Baermann test for A abstrusus were included in the study. All cats underwent thoracic radiography, CT and echocardiography. Results The most common clinical signs were coughing (10/14) and dyspnoea (5/14). Radiographic findings included a generalised unstructured interstitial pulmonary pattern (8/14), mixed bronchointerstitioalveolar pattern (3/14) and bronchointerstitial pattern with bronchial wall thickening (3/14). Sternal lymphadenopathy was detected on thoracic radiographs in six cats. On CT, features were mixed bronchointerstitioalveolar pattern with ground-glass appearance in six cats, interstitioalveolar with multiple pulmonary nodules in five, interstitial ground-glass infiltrates in three, regional lymph node enlargement in 11 (10 sternal, three cranial mediastinal and three tracheobronchial lymph nodes) and subpleural thickening in four. None of the thoracic radiographs revealed subpleural thickening. In all cases, pulmonary vessels were normal in terms of size, shape and attenuation on both radiography and CT. Pulmonary hypertension and cardiac abnormalities were not observed in any cat during echocardiography. Conclusions and relevance CT provided a more thorough characterisation of pulmonary and mediastinal lesions compared with thoracic radiographs in cats naturally infected with A abstrusus. Although feline aelurostrongylosis has been previously associated with histopathological lesions in lung arteries, in this cohort clinical evidence of pulmonary hypertension was not documented.

scholarly journals Surgical Management of the Scimitar Syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ujjwal Chowdhury ◽  
Robert Anderson ◽  
Lakshmi Sankhyan ◽  
Niwin George ◽  
Niraj Pandey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Surgical Management ◽  
Surgical Intervention ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Computed Tomographic Angiography ◽  
Scimitar Syndrome ◽  
Surgical Approaches ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Clinical Presentations

The morphology variations of the so-called scimitar vein are many and varied. We present a synthesis of 92 published investigations of the overall scimitar syndrome. We reviewed the clinical presentations, diagnostic modalities, surgical approaches, and outcomes. Diagnostic information was provided by clinical presentations, radiographic findings, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, computed-tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, angiocardiography, and ventilation/perfusion scans. These investigations served to elucidate the origin, course, and termination of the scimitar vein, the intracardiac anatomy, the presence of associated defects, and the patterns of any accompanying pulmonary lesions. In short, they defined the disease prior to surgical intervention. Of the patients described, up to four-fifths presented during infancy, with cardiac failure, increased pulmonary flow, and pulmonary hypertension. Associated cardiac and extracardiac defects, particularly hypoplasia of the right lung, are present in up to three-quarters of cases. Overall operative mortality has been cited between 4.8% and 5.9%. Mortality was highest in patients with preoperative pulmonary hypertension, and those undergoing surgery in infancy. Despite timely surgical intervention, post-repair obstruction of the scimitar vein, intra-atrial baffle obstruction, or stenosis of the inferior caval vein were reported in up to two-thirds of cases. The venous obstruction could not be related to any particular surgical technique. On long term follow-up, one sixth of patients reported persistent dyspnoea and recurrent respiratory infections. Any infants presenting with heart failure, right-sided heart, and hypoplastic right lung should be evaluated to exclude the syndrome. An increased appreciation of variables will contribute to improved surgical management.

scholarly journals Do All Roads Lead to Rome? The Potential of Different Approaches to Diagnose Aelurostrongylus abstrusus Infection in Cats

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 602
Author(s):  
Katharina Raue ◽  
Jonathan Raue ◽  
Daniela Hauck ◽  
Franz Söbbeler ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Post Infection ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Imaging Findings ◽  
Multifaceted Approach ◽  
Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus ◽  
Computed Tomographic ◽  
Ct Examination ◽  
Anthelmintic Efficacy ◽  
Antibody Levels

An infection with the cat lungworm, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, can be subclinical, but it can also cause severe respiratory clinical signs. Larvae excretion, antibody levels, clinical assessment findings of the respiratory system and diagnostic imaging findings were recorded and compared for six cats with experimental aelurostrongylosis. In five cats, patency started 33–47 days post infection (pi), but two cats excreted larvae only in long intervals and low numbers. Positive ELISA results were observed in four cats with patent aelurostrongylosis, starting between five days before and 85 days after onset of patency. One seropositive cat remained copromicroscopically negative. Mild respiratory signs were observed in all cats examined. A computed tomographic (CT) examination of the lungs displayed distinct alterations, even in absence of evident clinical signs or when larvae excretion was low or negative. The thoracic radiograph evaluation correlated with the CT results, but CT was more distinctive. After anthelmintic treatment in the 25th week post infection, pulmonary imaging findings improved back to normal within 6–24 weeks. This study shows that a multifaceted approach, including diagnostic imaging, can provide a clearer diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression. Furthermore, a CT examination provides an alternative to post mortem examination and worm counts in anthelmintic efficacy studies.

scholarly journals Clinical case of life-threatening co-infection due to Dirofilaria immitis and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a cat: First report of feline heartworm disease in Bulgaria

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-114
Author(s):  
A. S. Tonev ◽  
Z. Kirkova ◽  
P. T. Iliev ◽  
A. Roussenov ◽  
T. Chaprazov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dirofilaria Immitis ◽  
Present Report ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Skin Lesions ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Toxocara Cati ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Radiographic Findings ◽  
Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus

SummaryThe present report describes the first clinically manifested and serologically proven case of Dirofilaria immitis infection in a cat in Bulgaria. A 10-year-old intact male cat was referred to the Small Animal Clinic, Trakia University with a history of anorexia, weight loss, intermittent coughing and itching skin lesions on the head and neck. Physical examination revealed abnormal heart sounds and respiration, cyanosis of the mucous membranes, and generalized enlargement of the lymph nodes. Mild infestation with hard ticks and fleas was also detected during the initial skin inspection. In addition, adult Otodectes cynotis mites were observed in the skin lesions. The fecal sample was positive for larvae of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and eggs of Toxocara cati. Blood serology revealed antigens of D. immitis as well as antibodies against both feline immunodeficiency virus and D. immitis. Thoracic radiographic findings included a pronounced generalized reticular interstitial pattern; alveolar and bronchial shades with multiple nodular thickenings throughout the lungs. Electrocardiography demonstrated a sinus tachycardia, a peaked P-wave (P-pulmonale) and an abnormally low ST-segment. The clinical signs disappeared after treatment with selamectin, doxycycline and corticosteroids. Despite the improvement in general health condition, the cat suddenly died several months later.

scholarly journals Fatal Pulmonary Hypertension and Right-Sided Congestive Heart Failure in a Kitten Infected with Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tommaso Vezzosi ◽  
Stefania Perrucci ◽  
Francesca Parisi ◽  
Simone Morelli ◽  
Michela Maestrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Congestive Heart Failure ◽  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Pathological Findings ◽  
Severe Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Thoracic Radiography ◽  
Aelurostrongylus Abstrusus ◽  
The University

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is considered the most important respiratory nematode of domestic cats worldwide. This parasite inhabits the alveoli, alveolar ducts, and bronchioles and causes a subacute to chronic respiratory clinical disease. Clinical signs may occur in domestic cats of any age, though they are more often described in young animals. Physical examination, echocardiography, thoracic radiography, pulmonary and cardiac pathological findings, classical, and molecular parasitological analysis of a six-month-old kitten referred at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the University of Pisa (Italy) led to a diagnosis of parasitic bronchopneumonia caused by A. abstrusus, which was complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and right-sided congestive heart failure (R-CHF) that caused the death of the animal. Cases of reversible PH associated with A. abstrusus infection have been seldom reported in cats. This is the first report of fatal PH and R-CHF in a kitten with clinical aelurostrongylosis.

scholarly journals Efficacy of an Augmented Reality Navigation System (SIRIO) for Percutaneous Computed Tomographic-Guided Pulmonary Ground-Glass Opacity Biopsies

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faiella Eliodoro ◽  
Pacella Giuseppina ◽  
Altomare Carlo ◽  
Andresciani Flavio ◽  
Zobel Beomonte Bruno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Navigation System ◽  
Ground Glass Opacity ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Computed Tomographic

scholarly journals Diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of ground-glass opacities

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali H. Elmokadem ◽  
Dalia Bayoumi ◽  
Sherif A. Abo-Hedibah ◽  
Ahmed El-Morsy
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Performance ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Ground Glass Opacity ◽  
Chest Ct ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Laboratory Findings ◽  
Halo Sign ◽  
Traction Bronchiectasis ◽  
Chest Ct Scan

Abstract Background To evaluate the diagnostic performance of chest CT in differentiating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and non-COVID-19 causes of ground-glass opacities (GGO). Results A total of 80 patients (49 males and 31 females, 46.48 ± 16.09 years) confirmed with COVID-19 by RT-PCR and who underwent chest CT scan within 2 weeks of symptoms, and 100 patients (55 males and 45 females, 48.94 ± 18.97 years) presented with GGO on chest CT were enrolled in the study. Three radiologists reviewed all CT chest exams after removal of all identifying data from the images. They expressed the result as positive or negative for COVID-19 and recorded the other pulmonary CT features with mention of laterality, lobar affection, and distribution pattern. The clinical data and laboratory findings were recorded. Chest CT offered diagnostic accuracy ranging from 59 to 77.2% in differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with sensitivity from 76.25 to 90% and specificity from 45 to 67%. The specificity was lower when differentiating COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 viral pneumonias (30.5–61.1%) and higher (53.1–70.3%) after exclusion of viral pneumonia from the non-COVID-19 group. Patients with COVID-19 were more likely to have lesions in lower lobes (p = 0.005), peripheral distribution (p < 0.001), isolated ground-glass opacity (p = 0.043), subpleural bands (p = 0.048), reverse halo sign (p = 0.005), and vascular thickening (p = 0.013) but less likely to have pulmonary nodules (p < 0.001), traction bronchiectasis (p = 0.005), pleural effusion (p < 0.001), and lymphadenopathy (p < 0.001). Conclusions Chest CT offered reasonable sensitivity when differentiating COVID-19- from non-COVID-19-associated GGO with low specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other viral pneumonias and moderate specificity when differentiating COVID-19 from other causes of GGO.

scholarly journals Percutaneous computed tomography guided biopsy of sub-solid pulmonary nodules: differentiating solid from ground glass components at the time of biopsy

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 ◽  
pp. 332-338
Author(s):  
Darragh Halpenny ◽  
Krishna Das ◽  
Etay Ziv ◽  
Andrew Plodkowski ◽  
Junting Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Pulmonary Nodules ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Guided Biopsy

scholarly journals Bacterial pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation: HRCT findings

2009 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 431-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Otávio de Mattos Coelho ◽  
Taísa Davaus Gasparetto ◽  
Dante Luiz Escuissato
Keyword(s):  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Bone Marrow Transplantation ◽  
Marrow Transplantation ◽  
Myeloid Leukemia ◽  
Bacterial Pneumonia ◽  
Positive Culture ◽  
Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽  
Ground Glass ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Air Space

OBJECTIVE: To describe HRCT findings in patients with bacterial pneumonia following bone marrow transplantation (BMT). METHODS: This was a retrospective study involving 30 patients diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia in whom HRCT of the chest was performed within 24 h after the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis was confirmed, based on a positive culture of sputum or bronchial aspirate, together with a positive pleural fluid or blood culture, within one week after symptom onset. There were 20 male patients and 10 female patients. The median age was 21 years (range, 1-41 years). The BMT had been performed for the treatment of the following: chronic myeloid leukemia, in 14 cases; severe aplastic anemia, in 6; acute myeloid leukemia, in 4; Fanconi's anemia, in 3; and acute lymphocytic leukemia, in 3. Two radiologists analyzed the HRCT scans and reached their final decisions by consensus. RESULTS: The most common HRCT findings were air-space consolidation (in 60%), small centrilobular nodules (in 50%), ground-glass opacities (in 40%), bronchial wall thickening (in 20%), large nodules (in 20%), pleural lesions (in 16.7%) and tree-in-bud opacities (in 10%). The pulmonary lesions were distributed in the central and peripheral areas in 15 patients, whereas they were exclusively peripheral in 11. Lesions were located in the lower and middle lobes of the lung in 22 and 20 patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The most common HRCT findings in our patient sample were air-space consolidation, small centrilobular nodules and ground-glass opacities, most often in the central and peripheral regions of the middle and lower lung zones.

A novel three-dimensional visualization system revealed an essential adaptive angiogenic response during the early phase of pulmonary hypertension

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
T Fujiwara ◽  
N Takeda ◽  
M Hatano ◽  
S Nishimura ◽  
I Komuro
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Hypertension ◽  
Early Phase ◽  
3D Visualization ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Right Heart Failure ◽  
Wall Thickening ◽  
Funding Source ◽  
Vegf Expression ◽  
Visualization System

Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure with progressive narrowing or occlusion of the pulmonary artery. However, the assessment of vascular remodeling is mostly limited to averaged increases in wall thickening, and even the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), remains incompletely understood; Although abundantly expressed VEGF is expected to elicit angio-obliteration and the knockout of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) prevents PH in mice, VEGF inhibitor Sugen exacerbates hypoxia (Hx)-induced PH model, which is referred to as VEGF paradox. Purpose To analyze three-dimensional (3D) spatiotemporal changes of pulmonary microstructure and function, which reflect the disease activity and lead to resolve the paradox. Methods and results We developed a novel 3D visualization system of microstructural networks in whole mouse organ with single-cell resolution, using combined tissue clearing technique called CUBIC and multiphoton excitation microscope. The system enabled the simultaneous 3D evaluation of microvascular structure, invaded macrophages and fibrosis with effective penetration of several mm (whole organ). Three-dimensional observations of PH mice models including Hx, Sugen/Hx, and human-like Alk1+/− hereditary PH models, revealed that not only inward (negative) microvessel remodeling with stenosis, but also marked elongation of microvascular ECs, was evident except Sugen/Hx model at the early phase, which had not been detected by 2D histological sections. Comparable transcriptome analysis revealed that PGC1α, which regulates HIF-independent VEGF expression and angiogenesis, plays an important role in the characteristic response for mitochondrial and microvascular maintenance. PGC1α was up-regulated in the early phage in Hx and Alk1+/− PH models with microvascular angiogenetic change, whereas Sugen/Hx-model did not increase PGC1α expression and did not show microvascular remodeling. Furthermore pulmonary ECs-specific PGC1α-deficient mice exacerbated Hx-PH model with decreased VEGF expression and microvessel density, and administration of Baicalin, a flavonoid enhancing PGC1α expression, ameliorated Hx-PH model with increased VEGF expression. Conclusions The 3D visualization system disclosed an unexpected change of angiogenic microvascular structure in the early phage of PH, which is regulated by EC PGC1α. Microvascular angiogenesis which is induced by up-regulation in PGC1α -VEGF pathway is a crucial factor for compensation of PH in the early phase, which provides a potential novel therapeutic target for PH. Figure 1 Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): JSJP

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document