First molecular evidence of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in domestic cats from Africa and a synopsis of its occurrence across the continent

Domestic cats (Felis catus) can be infected with a variety of cardio-pulmonary nematodes. Although Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is widely distributed globally, reports from Africa are scarce and refer mainly to wild felids. Moreover, some of these reports are considered as misidentifications. The only report in domestic cats in Africa is more than 20 years old and originated from Kenya. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of A. abstrusus in domestic cats from Harare, Zimbabwe morphologically on light microscopy and confirmation by molecular means. A total of 57 domestic cats were included in this study, and fecal samples were analyzed using the Baermann technique. The detected larvae were collected, morphologically identified, and subsequently confirmed through molecular analysis by targeting three genes. One sample out of 57 tested positive for first-stage larvae (L1) and was identified as Aelurostrongylus abstrusus based on morphological characteristics. Molecular analysis subsequently confirmed the species identity. The present study is the first molecular confirmation of Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in domestic cats from Africa and the first case in domestic cats from southern Africa. Future studies are recommended to further investigate its distribution and epidemiology.