First record of Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) felineus (Chandler, 1925) Sandground, 1933 (Nematoda: Spirocercidae) from a domestic cat in South Africa

Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) felineus (Chandler, 1925) Sandground, 1933 is reported from a cat in South Africa for the first time. The nematode was present in a gastric parasitic nodule in a male domestic cat, and three males were recovered as well as the anterior parts of three and the posterior parts of two gravid females. The heads of two specimens of undetermined sex were also found. Part of the removed parasitic nodule was processed for histopathological examination. The parasitic nodule was located in the submucosa and slightly expanded into the muscular layer. In its centre were small necrotic areas containing debris of inflammatory cells, adult nematodes and numerous bacterial colonies. Neutrophils, eosinophils, plasma cells and lymphocytes, as well as fibroblasts, were the predominant cell types. The serosal surface of the stomach remained unaffected. Some comparative morphological as well as ecological data concerning Cylicospirura (Cylicospirura) Vevers, 1922 in other feline hosts, mainly from Australia, India and North America, are included.