Morphological and molecular diagnosis of diseases of free-ranging crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) / [Diagnóstico morfológico e molecular de doenças de cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) de vida livre]

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of diseases in free-ranging wild canids that were roadkill on highways in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. PCR tests were performed for the detection of Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp., and Hepatozoon sp. in the spleen. Morphological evaluation and identification of parasites was performed in the liver and lung. Twenty specimens of C. thous were necropsied at the Animal Pathology Sector of the Veterinary Hospital of the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Tissue samples were processed for histopathological examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis. There was no PCR amplification of genomic DNA sequences of Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp., and Hepatozoon sp. using DNA extracted from the spleen as template. Histologically, lesions associated with parasitism by Platynosomum sp. and Angiostrongylus sp. were observed in the liver and lung, respectively. This is the first report of Platynosomum sp. and Angiostrongylus sp. parasitism in C. thous in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Therefore, this study demonstrated parasitism of crab-eating foxes by Platynosomum sp. and Angiostrongylus sp. Importantly, no evidence of infection with Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp., and Hepatozoon sp. was obtained by PCR analysis.(AU)

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a ocorrência de doenças em canídeos silvestres de vida livre que foram atropelados em rodovias no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Testes de PCR foram realizados para a detecção de Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp. e Hepatozoon sp. no baço. A avaliação morfológica e a identificação de parasitas foram realizadaa no fígado e no pulmão. Vinte espécimes de C. thous foram necropsiados no Setor de Patologia Animal do Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo. Amostras de tecido foram processadas para exame histopatológico e análise de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Não houve amplificação por PCR das sequências de DNA genômico de Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp. e Hepatozoon sp. usando-se DNA extraído do baço como modelo. Histologicamente, lesões associadas ao parasitismo por Platynosomum sp. e Angiostrongylus sp. foram observadas no fígado e no pulmão, respectivamente. Este é o primeiro relato de Platynosomum sp. e Angiostrongylus sp. parasitismo em C. thous no estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil. Portanto, este estudo demonstrou parasitismo de cachorro-do-mato por Platynosomum sp. e Angiostrongylus sp. É importante detacar que não há evidências de infecção por Brucella sp., Babesia sp., Rangelia sp. e Hepatozoon sp. por análise de PCR.(AU)

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis, report of two cases and analysis of published reports from Colombia. / Abdominal angiostrongyliasis, report of two cases and analysis of published reports from Colombia

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a parasitic zoonosis, endemic in the American continent. Its etiological agent is Angiostrongylus costaricensis, a nematode whose definitive hosts are rats and other rodents and the intermediate hosts, slugs. Mammals acquire the infection by consuming vegetables contaminated with L3 larvae. The disease shows a heterogeneous clinical spectrum and given its low incidence its diagnosis is a great challenge. In Colombia, the first case was reported in 1979 and until 1998, only five additional cases have been reported. However, in the last two decades, no new cases were reported. Here we discuss two cases of children from Huila and Caquetá departments who developed the disease. Both cases required long in-patient care and multiple surgical interventions. The diagnosis was achieved by histopathological observation of parasitic elements inside the mesenteric arteries. One of the children died while the other fully recovered. We discuss the epidemiology, pathogenic cycle, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and prevention strategies of this disease paying particular attention to our patients' features and the Colombian context.

La angiostrongiloidiasis abdominal es una zoonosis parasitaria endémica en el continente americano. Su agente etiológico es el nematodo Angiostrongylus costaricensis, cuyos huéspedes definitivos son los roedores y, los intermediarios, los caracoles y las babosas, por lo que se adquiere al consumir vegetales contaminados con larvas en estadio 3. La presentación clínica es muy variada y, dada su rareza, su diagnóstico es un desafío. En Colombia el primer caso se reportó en 1979 y, desde entonces hasta 1998, se han informado cinco casos más, aunque en las últimas dos décadas no se había reportado ningún caso. Se describen aquí dos casos de angiostrongiloidiasis en niños provenientes de los departamentos de Huila y Caquetá que requirieron una larga hospitalización y múltiples intervenciones quirúrgicas. El diagnóstico se logró al observar en los especímenes quirúrgicos larvas and huevos cuya morfología sugería una infección por nematodos; uno de los pacientes murió y el otro se recuperó satisfactoriamente. Se discuten la epidemiología, la patogenia, la presentación clínica, el diagnóstico y las estrategias de prevención de esta parasitosis, con énfasis en las características particulares de los casos descritos y en el contexto colombiano.

Gastropods as intermediate hosts of Angiostrongylus spp. in the Americas: bioecological characteristics and geographical distribution

BACKGROUND Intermediate hosts are key organisms in maintaining parasite life cycles, because they can act as amplifiers in the transmission from natural reservoirs to humans. One of the most important groups of intermediate hosts for zoonotic nematode infections are gastropods,slugs and snails. These are essential organisms in the larval development of Angiostrongylus species. OBJECTIVES The objective of this paper is to review reports of Angiostrongylus spp. in naturally infected gastropods from the Americas, taking into account the diagnostic methods used in their identification, to be able to provide more accurate list of their intermediate hosts. We also discuss the factors that aid the dispersion of Angiostrongylus spp. in the Americas. METHODS This study reviews scientific publications and book sections on Angiostrongylus spp. in the Americas, including original works assessing larvae of Angiostrongylus in intermediate hosts. The eligible reports were classified accordingly to their geographical location, year of first record, and the larvae identification methodologies used. Digital repositories were used for the search. The bioecological characteristics of the main intermediate hosts are summarised. FINDINGS A total of 29 gastropod species that are naturally infected with Angiostrongylus spp. have been reported as intermediate hosts, 16 of which are land snails, two are freshwater snails, and 11 land slugs. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This study highlights the importance of integrative studies, analysing both the etiological agent and its transmission dynamic in the environment, the biological and ecological characteristics of the hosts, and the impact on host populations. It is necessary to increase interdisciplinary studies to determine the potential epidemiological health risk of angiostrongyliasis in the Americas, and thus be able to establish prevention, monitoring and contingency strategies in the region.

Angiostrongylosis in Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox) and Lycalopex gymnocercus (Pampas fox) in Southern Brazil.

The objective of this study was to identify species of Angiostrongylus spp. infecting wild carnivores in Southern Brazil, as well as to describe gross and histopathological findings associated with the infection. Necropsy was conducted in 16 wild carnivores parasitized by Angiostrongylus spp. Analysed lungs revealed multifocal dark-red areas of consolidation; in one case, multifocal firm white nodules spread in all pulmonary lobes were observed. In one animal, a focally extensive area of malacia associated with haemorrhage was noted in the encephalon. Histologically, multifocal granulomatous pneumonia or bronchopneumonia, associated with eggs and larvae in blood vessels, lung interstitium, alveoli, and sometimes in bronchi and bronchioles was observed. Adult nematodes were seen within blood vessels. The lesion observed in the brain was characterized as a focally extensive area of malacia associated with gitter cells, haemorrhage, thrombosis and a free intralesional larva. Through molecular techniques, seven positive samples of Angiostrongylus cantonensis were obtained, including the brain sample, and a positive sample of Angiostrongylus vasorum-like, all in Cerdocyon thous. The positive sample for A. vasorum showed 97% similarity with sequences deposited in GenBank, suggesting a new species or subspecies of Angiostrongylus sp. Infection of Lycalopex gymnocercus by Angiostrongylus spp. was confirmed by histological evaluation.

Abdominal Angiostrongyliasis: A Presentation of Eosinophilic Granulomatous Colitis.

We present a case of a 4-year-old girl with abdominal angiostrongyliasis who presented with persistent fevers, hepatosplenomegaly, acute abdominal pain, and eosinophilia. Computed tomography scan identified thickening of the ascending colon with a narrowed lumen. Endoscopic evaluation revealed ulcerations and erythema in the ascending colon. The microscopic findings in biopsies included active chronic inflammation with prominent eosinophils and granulomas. A subset of granulomas contained the eggs of Angiostrongylus costaricensis. The definitive method of diagnosing A costaricensis is histology; peripheral blood serology has low specificity and the stool from infected patients does not contain eggs or larvae. Pathologists from endemic regions (Central and South America) are familiar with the typical histologic changes; however, because of increasing global travel, all pathologists should become familiar with A costaricensis, which may mimic common gastrointestinal diseases such as Crohn's disease, appendicitis, and Meckel's diverticulum.

Angiostrongylus chabaudi in felids: New findings and a review of the literature.

Cardiopulmonary infections by Angiostrongylus chabaudi affect domestic and wild felids but, due to limited information on the biology of this nematode, its pathogenicity remains unclear. This article describes the histopathological alterations associated with Angiostrongylus infection in a wildcat from Bulgaria, and reviews current literature on this feline angiostrongylid. Nematodes were isolated from lung lavage and faecal samples of a road killed wildcat in Southern Bulgaria. The morphological identification of parasite larvae as A. chabaudi was confirmed by molecular analysis of part of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Upon histopathological examination, severe granulomatous pneumonia, ranging from multifocal to coalescing, and pulmonary vascular lesions were observed. Extensive alveolar collapse, alveolar emphysematous changes, parenchymal haemorrhages and small artery wall hyperplasia were observed in the parenchyma adjacent to the granulomas. Histopathological examination revealed the presence of cross-sections of adult female parasites within the lumen of the pulmonary artery branches, the intima altered markedly by subendothelial proliferation and oedematous changes. This study compliments current knowledge of the pathogenesis of feline angiostrongylosis by A. chabaudi in wildcats, as well as of the distribution of this little-known parasite.

Fatal Angiostrongylus dujardini infection in callitrichid monkeys and suricates in an Italian zoological garden.

This paper reports four fatal cases of metastrongylid nematode Angiostrongylus dujardini infection observed in a Saguinus oedipus and a Callimico goeldii monkey and in two suricates (Suricata suricatta). All animals were kept in captivity in a zoo of central Italy. The two monkeys died with no premonitory signs, while the two-month-old suricates showed malaise, anorexia and tachypnea for a few days prior to death. Cardiomegaly and/or granulomatous pneumonia were the major anatomo-pathological findings. Inflammatory lesions were observed in the liver, heart and kidney of the suricates at histology. A. dujardini diagnosis was confirmed through both morphological identification of adult worms recovered at necropsy and molecular characterization of larvae in tissue samples. Callitrichidae and suricates are active predators and maintain their hunting behaviour in captivity and it is then likely that they were exposed to infection by preying on parasitized gastropods, intermediate hosts of A. dujardini, entering zoo enclosures from the surrounding environment. This is the first report of A. dujardini in Italy and in S. suricatta.

Angiostrongylus vasorum in the eye: new case reports and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes of the genus Angiostrongylus are important causes of potentially life-threatening diseases in several animal species and humans. Angiostrongylus vasorum affects the right ventricle of the heart and the pulmonary arteries in dogs, red foxes and other carnivores. The diagnosis of canine angiostrongylosis may be challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical signs. Ocular manifestations have been seldom reported but have serious implications for patients. METHODS: The clinical history of three cases of infection with A. vasorum in dogs diagnosed in UK, France and Italy, was obtained from clinical records provided by the veterinary surgeons along with information on the diagnostic procedures and treatment. Nematodes collected from the eyes of infected dogs were morphologically identified to the species level and molecularly analysed by the amplification of the nuclear 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: On admission, the dogs were presented with various degrees of ocular discomfort and hyphema because of the presence of a motile object in the eye. The three patients had ocular surgery during which nematodes were removed and subsequently morphologically and molecularly identified as two adult males and one female of A. vasorum. CONCLUSIONS: Three new cases of canine ocular angiostrongylosis are reported along with a review of other published clinical cases to improve the diagnosis and provide clinical recommendation for this parasitic condition. In addition, the significance of migratory patterns of larvae inside the host body is discussed. Veterinary healthcare workers should include canine angiostrongylosis in the differential diagnosis of ocular diseases.

First evidence of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) as definitive host of Angiostrongylus chabaudi.

Angiostrongylus chabaudi (Strongylida, Angiostrongylidae) is a parasitic nematode described for the first time last century from the pulmonary arteries of six European wildcats (Felis silvestris silvestris) in central Italy. Since then, this parasite remained practically unknown until recently, when immature A. chabaudi have been reported from one wildcat in Germany and two domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) in Italy. The present report describes the first record of A. chabaudi in Greece and, most importantly, the first known case of patent infection by A. chabaudi. The necropsy of a road-killed F. s. silvestris found near the lake Kerkini, in the municipality of Serres (Macedonia, Greece), revealed the presence of nematodes of both sexes in the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery of the heart. All parasites were mature adults and numerous eggs were present in the uteruses of females. The morphological characteristics of the parasites were consistent with those of A. chabaudi. Moreover, Angiostrongylus-like first stage larvae (L1) were present in the faeces of the animal that was negative for any other cardio-pulmonary parasite. Genetic examination of adult parasites and L1 confirmed the morphological identification as A. chabaudi. Histopathological examination of the lungs showed severe, multifocal to coalescing, chronic, interstitial granulomatous pneumonia due to the presence of adult parasites, larvae and eggs. These findings demonstrate for the first unequivocal time that this nematode reproduces in the European wildcat which should be ultimately considered a definitive host of A. chabaudi. Finally, the L1 of A. chabaudi are described here for the first time, opening new prospects for further studies on this neglected parasite.

Angiostrongylus vasorum Causing Severe Granulomatous Hepatitis with Concurrent Multiple Acquired PSS.

A 14 mo old female Jack Russell terrier presented with a 12 hr history of vomiting and inappetence. She was subsequently diagnosed with multiple acquired portosystemic shunts during an exploratory celiotomy. Gross and histopathological hepatic abnormalities were consistent with chronic disease, including features suggestive of portal hypertension that was potentially caused by migrating and resident Angiostrongylus vasorum larvae. Fecal analysis and polymerase chain reaction of hepatic tissue confirmed the presence of Angiostrongylus vasorum . The dog recovered clinically following empirical treatment and supportive care. A lack of parasite burden was confirmed 9 wk postdiagnosis; however, serum biochemical analysis at that time was suggestive of ongoing hepatic dysfunction.

Parasites and vector-borne diseases in client-owned dogs in Albania. Intestinal and pulmonary endoparasite infections.

From March 2010 to April 2011 inclusive, feces from 602 client-owned dogs visiting four small animal clinics in Tirana, Albania, were examined using standard coproscopical techniques including Giardia coproantigen ELISA and immunofluorescent staining of Giardia cysts. Overall, samples of 245 dogs (40.7 %, 95 % CI 36.6-45.6) tested positive for at least one type of fecal endoparasite (protozoan and/or helminth and/or pentastomid) stage, of which 180 (29.9 %, 95 % CI 26.3-33.7) and 129 (21.9 %, 95 % CI 18.2-24.9) tested positive for protozoan or nematode endoparasites, respectively. Fecal forms of at least 14 endoparasites were identified. The most frequently identified stages were those of Giardia (26.4 %), Trichuris (9.5 %), Toxocara (8.0 %), hookworms (7.1 %), Cystoisospora ohioensis (4.3 %), and Cystoisospora canis (3 %). For the first time for dogs in Albania, fecal examination indicated the occurrence of Hammondia/Neospora-like (0.2 %), Angiostrongylus lungworm (0.3 %), capillariid (2.8 %), and Linguatula (0.2 %) infections. Single and multiple infections with up to seven parasites concurrently were found in 152 (25.2 %, 95 % CI 21.8-28.9) and 93 dogs (15.4 %, 95 % CI 12.7-18.6), respectively. On univariate analysis, the dog's age, the dog's purpose (pet, hunting dog, working dog), the dog's habitat (city, suburban, rural), and environment (mainly indoors, indoors with regular outside walking, yard, kennel/run), presence/absence of other dogs and/or cats, history of anthelmintic use, and season of examination were identified as significant (p < 0.05) factors predisposing dogs to various types of endoparasitism while the variables breed (pure breed dogs vs. mixed-breed dogs), gender, and type of food were not significant predictors. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for factors associated with overall endoparasitism revealed that dogs >1 year of age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.64), dogs dewormed at least once per year (OR = 0.35), and dogs tested during spring, summer, and autumn (OR = 0.51, 0.15, and 0.20, respectively) had a significantly lower risk compared with ≤1 year old dogs, dogs not dewormed, or dogs tested during winter. The odds of a dog to be diagnosed positive for endoparasites was 1.56 times higher for dogs living together with other pets than that for a dog without other dogs or cats.

Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in southern Italy.

Angiostrongylus vasorum (Nematoda: Angiostrongylidae) infection was detected at post-mortem examination in the pulmonary arteries and hearts of 34/102 (33,3%) of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from the Campania Region in southern Italy. Pathological changes consisted of granulomatous interstitial pneumonia caused by larvae and intravascular pulmonary adult nematodes. These changes confirm that angiostrongylosis infection in red foxes has a mainly chronic course, in which the infected host may disperse parasite larvae in the environment over its lifetime. Results suggest that the life cycle of A. vasorum is well established in the red fox in the Campania Region representing a potential infection risk for dogs.

Moving the boundaries to the South-East: first record of autochthonous Angiostrongylus vasorum infection in a dog in Vojvodina province, northern Serbia.

BACKGROUND: Angiostrongylus vasorum is a cardiopulmonary canine nematode, potentially fatal to its host. In the last decade, there has been an increasing number of autochthonous cases in areas previously considered non-endemic. However, information about the parasite's occurrence and distribution among Central and Eastern (Southeastern) European countries are scarce. This paper reports the first recorded case of autochthonous A. vasorum infection in a hunting dog from Serbia. FINDINGS: In March 2013, a female hunting dog was presented to a veterinary clinic in Novi Sad, Serbia, for examination of a chronic skin problem. The dog had no history of respiratory or cardiovascular diseases. Faecal and urine samples were collected and examined for the presence of parasite ova/cysts. A modified Baermann test detected 8.8 larvae per gram of faeces. Based on their overall body length (mean 381.7 ± 15.9 µm; range from 342.5 to 404.3 µm; n = 12) and characteristic tail morphology, they were identified as the first-stage larvae of A. vasorum. CONCLUSIONS: The spread of A. vasorum to the southeast of Europe is further confirmed after finding autochthonous infected dog from Serbia. Therefore, veterinary professionals in Serbia should consider A. vasorum in differential diagnosis of dogs.

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis with involvement of liver histopathologically confirmed: a case report.

Human abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by ingestion of the L3 larvae of Angiostrongylus costaricensis. The human infection gives rise to a pathological condition characterized by acute abdominal pain, secondary to an inflammatory granulomatous reaction, marked eosinophilia and eosinophilic vasculitis. Most commonly this disease is limited to intestinal location, primary ileocecal, affecting the mesenteric arterial branches and intestinal walls. We present one of the few cases reported around the world with simultaneous involvement of the intestines and liver, including proved presence of nematodes inside the hepatic arteriole.

Abdominal angiostrongyliasis with involvement of liver histopathologically confirmed: a case report / Angiostrongiliasis abdominal con lesión hepática histopatológicamente confirmada

Human abdominal angiostrongyliasis is a zoonotic disease caused by ingestion of the L3 larvae of Angiostrongylus costaricensis. The human infection gives rise to a pathological condition characterized by acute abdominal pain, secondary to an inflammatory granulomatous reaction, marked eosinophilia and eosinophilic vasculitis. Most commonly this disease is limited to intestinal location, primary ileocecal, affecting the mesenteric arterial branches and intestinal walls. We present one of the few cases reported around the world with simultaneous involvement of the intestines and liver, including proved presence of nematodes inside the hepatic arteriole.

La enfermedad conocida como angiostrongiliasis abdominal humana es una zoonosis causada por la ingestión del estadio larval L3 de Angiostrongylus costaricensis. En el ser humano, esta infección provoca un estado patológico caracterizado por dolor abdominal agudo, secundario a una reacción inflamatoria granulomatosa; eosinofilia marcada y vasculitis eosinofílica. Comúnmente el cuadro se encuentra limitado a una localización intestinal, predominantemente ileocecal, que compromete las ramas de la arteria mesentérica y la pared intestinal. Presentamos uno de los pocos casos reportados alrededor del mundo con hallazgos simultáneos en intestino e hígado; se incluye la demostración histológica del nemátodo dentro de la arteriola hepática.

Disseminated angiostrongylosis with massive cardiac and cerebral involvement in a dog from Italy.

A case of disseminated angiostrongylosis caused by Angiostrongylus vasorum in a dog living in Italy is here described. The dog was referred for severe respiratory distress and epileptic seizures; clinicopathological findings were consistent with severe pneumonia associated with right-sided heart failure and multifocal involvement of the brain. Bronchoalveolar fluid analysis identified a multitude of nematode larvae, identified as A. vasorum by conventional and biomolecular (PCR) methods. The major anatomo-histopathological lesions were chronic granulomatous pneumonia, a severe multifocal granulomatous myocarditis and multifocal mild vascular and inflammatory disease in the brain. A. vasorum should be included among the differentials of dogs with cardiovascular and neurologic disease.

Impactos socioeconômicos de uma doença emergente / Socioeconomic impacts of an emerging disease

Em 1995, ocorreu uma praga de lesmas identificadas como Sarasinula linguaeformis (Semper, 1885), que prejudicou as lavouras situadas entre os municípios de Nova Itaberaba e Planalto Alegre, no oeste do estado de Santa Catarina, Brasil. Neste artigo analisamos os impactos socioeconômicos provocados pela ocorrência desta praga, que sinalizou a possibilidade, posteriormente verificada, da emergência de casos de angiostrongilíase abdominal. Os dados foram coletados através de observação do estudo soroepidemiológico realizado na região durante o período de agosto de 2000 a agosto de 2001 pela equipe de pesquisa da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), entrevistas com técnicos da Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina S.A. (Epagri-SC) e com cinquenta famílias locais. Para avaliar esses impactos, elaboramos algumas categorias de análise, como: prejuízo econômico; medidas preventivas e mudança de hábitos; estigma e preconceito, que surgiram à luz das narrativas dos sujeitos entrevistados. Ficou evidente a necessidade de se procederem a estudos sobre os aspectos sociológicos dos problemas epidemiológicos, além dos estritamente médico-sanitários.

In 1955 a population explosion of the slug Sarasinula linguaeformis (Semper, 1885) damaged crop plantations in the municipalities of Nova Itaberaba and Planalto Alegre, western of Santa Catarina State, Brazil. In this article we analyze the socioeconomic impacts caused by the emergence of this plague, which raised the suspicion, eventually confirmed, of the occurrence of human cases of abdominal angyostrongiliasis. The data were collected through the observation of a serological study during the period of August 2000 to August 2001 by a research team from the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) together with field technicians from the Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina S.A. (Epagri-SC), and with the members of 50 local families. In order to analyze these impacts, we elaborated several analytical categories as economic losses; preventive measures, habit change and social prejudice, that emerged from the narratives of the residents interviewed. It became evident the need for sociological analyses of epidemiological problems, in addition to strictly medico-sanitary considerations.

Comparison of faecal techniques including FLOTAC for copromicroscopic detection of first stage larvae of Angiostrongylus vasorum.

Angiostrongylus vasorum is a metastrongylid nematode that resides in the pulmonary arteries and the right heart chambers. In dogs, infection results in respiratory, bleeding and neurological disorders and further clinical signs. In the present study, FLOTAC was evaluated for the detection of first-stage larvae (L1) of A. vasorum in canine faecal samples. This technique is based on the counting of parasitic stages (eggs, larvae, oocysts and cysts) in chambers after spinning of faecal samples onto a surface. In a first step, nine flotation solutions were evaluated using faeces of two experimentally infected dogs. Zinc sulphate (specific gravity (s.g.) 1.2) and zinc sulphate plus potassium iodomercurate (s.g. 1.45) gave good results. However, with the latter technique, the larvae were slightly deformed. Subsequently, FLOTAC, using zinc sulphate, was compared through a randomisation technique with McMaster, flotation in tube and Baermann-Wetzel technique. The mean larvae per gramme (LPG) obtained by the FLOTAC for both dogs was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those obtained by the other three techniques (the means of the other techniques all lie below the 95% CI of the mean LPG of the FLOTAC technique). In addition, the FLOTAC results were consistent across replicates with only Poisson (or random) variation between individual replicates. The other techniques appear to be less consistent with evidence of extra-Poisson variation in at least one of the two dogs across the replicates within each technique. The FLOTAC technique may contribute to an improvement of the ability to diagnose canine lungworm infections and represent a valuable alternative for larval counting of A. vasorum in faecal samples, especially following transport or storage where there may be limited larvae viability, and larval migration techniques cannot be used.