The cockroach Periplaneta americana as a potential paratenic host of the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Abstract

Introduction Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is a well-known nematode affecting the respiratory system of felids worldwide. Snails and slugs act as intermediate hosts of this parasite, whereas rodents, birds and reptiles may serve as paratenic hosts. Periplaneta americana, the American brown cockroach, shares the same habitat and ecological features (e.g. nocturnal activity) with both snails and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of P. americana to maintain alive A. abstrusus third stage larvae (L3s) after artificial inoculation. Material and methods Twenty-five specimens of P. americana were infected with 100 A. abstrusus L3s collected from experimentally infected Cornu a..