lungworm

lungworm /lung·worm/ (-wurm?) any parasitic worm that invades the lungs, e.g., Paragonimus westermani in humans.

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lung·worm (lngwûrm)

n.

Any of various nematode worms, especially of the family Metastrongylidae, that are parasitic in the lungs of mammals.

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lungworm

any parasitic worm that invades the lungs, but generally refers to worms that preferentially invade the lungs, come to maturity there and either lay their eggs or produce viable larvae there.

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lungworm disease

is caused by species-specific lungworms.

The lungworm is Dictyocaulus viviparus, which causes a verminous pneumonia, a secondary bacterial pneumonia and an atypical interstitial pneumonia. The cardinal signs in all of them are chronic cough and respiratory distress.

The worms involved are Dictyocaulus filaria, Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens, and the clinical picture is one of persistent cough.

Metastrongylus apri, M. salmi and M. pudendodectus are the causative worms and chronic cough the outstanding clinical sign.

Horses and donkeys are parasitized by Dictyocaulus arnfieldi and may be affected by coughing.

Filaroides hirthi, F. milksi and Oslerus osleri parasitize the respiratory tract at various levels and may be the cause of chronic cough. Angiostrongylus vasorum is found in pulmonary arteries and causes respiratory signs.

Mild to severe pulmonary disease with chronic cough and weight loss may be caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus.