Which respiratory parasite can be diagnosed using the Baermann technique?

The Baermann technique is a method specifically designed to isolate and identify larvae of certain parasitic infections, particularly those that reside in the respiratory system of animals. Aelurostrongylus, which refers to Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in cats, is a lungworm that can be diagnosed using this technique because its larvae can be found in the feces and are motile.

This diagnostic technique takes advantage of the fact that the larvae are heavy and will migrate downwards in the presence of moisture, allowing for their collection and subsequent identification under a microscope. The appropriate conditions for this technique facilitate the recovery of Aelurostrongylus larvae, making it a suitable choice for this specific parasite.

In contrast, other parasites listed do not belong to the same category as Aelurostrongylus in terms of their classification or the method used for their diagnosis. For example, Ancylostoma (hookworms) are typically diagnosed via fecal flotation, while Dirofilaria immitis (heartworm) and Toxocara canis (roundworm) have different developmental stages that are not amenable to diagnosis by the Baermann technique. These factors collectively highlight why Aelurostrongylus is the correct answer