Clinical Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection in two captive American bison (Bison bison)

Weiss, Rachael B.; Sarver, C. F.; Thilsted, John P.; Wolfe, Barbara A.

doi:10.2460/javma.233.7.1127

Cited by 11 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(19 reference statements)

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“…P. tenuis-associated neurologic disease has been reported in moose, elk, caribou, wolves, antelope, reindeer, mule deer, black-tailed deer, sika deer, sheep, goats, calves, llamas, bison, alpacas, and horses. 2,3,[7][8][9][10][11][12]14,15 Guinea pigs experimentally infected with P. tenuis develop neurologic signs and CNS lesions similar to those seen in this case. 1,13 In the sections examined, there was no evidence of penetration of the neuroparenchyma by the nematodes, suggesting that either the clinical signs were secondary to the inflammatory reaction to the migrating larvae or that there was direct damage to the brain and/or spinal cord that was not detected in our samples.…”

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confidence: 70%

Naturally Occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis–Associated Choriomeningitis in a Guinea Pig With Neurologic Signs

et al. 2012

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An adult male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) with a 1-month history of hind limb paresis, torticollis, and seizures was euthanized and submitted for necropsy. Gross examination was unremarkable, but histologic examination revealed multifocal eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic choriomeningitis and cross sections of nematode parasites within the leptomeninges of the midbrain and diencephalon. Morphologic features of the nematode were consistent with a metastrongyle, and the parasite was identified as Parelaphostrongylus tenuis by polymerase chain reaction testing and nucleotide sequencing. Further questioning of the owner revealed that the guinea pig was fed grass from a yard often grazed by white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a naturally occurring P. tenuis infection in a guinea pig.Keywords guinea pig, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis, nervous system, parasitic disease, polymerase chain reaction A 2.5-year-old male guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) was euthanized and submitted for necropsy following a 1-month history of progressive neurologic signs, including hind limb paresis, torticollis, and seizures. Treatment included calcium, vitamin C injections, prednisolone, and buprenorphine. The guinea pig was purchased from a pet store 2 years earlier and was fed a commercial diet supplemented with a variety of fruits and vegetables, including grass from a yard frequented by whitetailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). For approximately 5 months prior to the onset of clinical signs, the guinea pig was housed with another healthy young male guinea pig. There was no history of trauma.Differential diagnoses for neurologic disease in guinea pigs include trauma, pregnancy toxemia, hypocalcemia, and bacterial otitis/meningitis. Neurologic disease associated with Baylisascaris procyonis migration has been reported in guinea pigs housed on shavings contaminated with raccoon feces. 16 Although neoplastic disease is uncommon in guinea pigs, tumor metastases to the central nervous system (CNS) would be an important differential for an animal with multicentric neurologic deficits, as in this case.A complete necropsy was performed. The calvarium was opened and the brain fixed in situ for sectioning. The entire vertebral column was fixed and decalcified, and representative cross sections were trimmed for histopathology. No gross lesions were detected during the necropsy; however, microscopic examination revealed cross sections of nematode parasites (Fig. 1) within the leptomeninges covering the midbrain, associated with eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic choriomeningitis (Fig. 2). The nematodes were 100 to 200 mm in diameter, with a thin, smooth cuticle; coelomyarian musculature; accessory hypodermal chords; and a large gastrointestinal tract composed of few multinucleate cells. Cross sections also contained a genital tract with either sperm or thinshelled eggs. Multifocally, the leptomeninges of the brain and spinal cord and the choroid plexus were expanded by moderate infil...

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confidence: 70%

Naturally Occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis–Associated Choriomeningitis in a Guinea Pig With Neurologic Signs

et al. 2012

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“…2,13 Naturally occurring aberrant migration of P. tenuis causes neurological disease in various mammals, including camelids, sheep, goats, horses, cervids, and a number of other cloven-hoofed animals. 1,2,10,[12][13][14]22,23 However, there are only 2 individual pathology reports of presumptive P. tenuis migration causing neurological disease in cattle 5,25 with the diagnosis made on morphological characteristics of nematodes within spinal cord segments. To date, there is no commercially available antemortem test to confirm Parelaphostrongylus spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Diagnosis of Parelaphostrongylus spp. infection as a cause of meningomyelitis in calves

et al. 2011

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Abstract. Migration of Parelaphostrongylus spp. has been documented to cause central nervous system damage in a number of aberrant host species but appears to be uncommon in cattle. The current report describes the clinical and laboratory findings, antemortem and definitive diagnosis, and response to treatment of Parelaphostrongylus spp. infection in five 3-7-month-old Limousin calves from 2 farms. All calves had signs of acute (n = 2) and chronic (n = 3) progressive spinal cord dysfunction. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed a marked eosinophilic (acute cases) or lymphocytic (chronic cases) pleocytosis and elevated protein in all calves. A necropsy and histopathologic evaluation was performed on 2 euthanized calves, and histopathology revealed lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic meningomyelitis with multiple intradural and intramedullary expansile hyperplastic lymphoid nodules containing germinal centers and nematode fragments. DNA sequencing was performed on nested polymerase chain reaction products amplified with parasite-specific primers obtained from formalinfixed and frozen spinal cord; PCR products from these 2 calves were 100% identical to Parelaphostrongylus species on DNA sequencing, confirming the diagnosis. Surviving calves rapidly improved following treatment with anthelmintics and corticosteroids. This case series identified Parelaphostrongylus spp. (likely P. tenuis) as a cause of spinal cord disease in calves and highlights the need for vigilance against aberrant parasite migration in calves grazing wet, snail-infested pastures. Cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia is useful for supporting an antemortem diagnosis of Parelaphostrongylus in calves with acute neurologic disease; however, a lymphocytosis is observed in chronic or treated cases.

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“…The younger bull demonstrated urinary incontinence and clinical signs in the other bull had persisted for 14 days before it was euthanased. 6 In camelids, the CBC and serum biochemistry are often unremarkable. 2 Abnormalities, if present, usually included a decrease in red blood cells, presence of band neutrophils, lymphopenia and an elevation in plasma fibrinogen.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Treatment of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in a Boer Buck

Breuer

Merkatoris

Tepley

et al. 2019

Vet Record Case Reports

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A nine-month-old Boer Buck presented for an acute onset of pelvic limb ataxia. Radiographs, complete blood count and serum biochemistry were within normal limits. A cerebrospinal fluid analysis yielded an eosinophilic pleocytosis, consistent with cerebrospinal nematodiasis. Treatment with ivermectin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, fenbendazole and range of motion exercises resulted in partial recovery of pelvic limb function within five days. Within five months post treatment the buck’s ambulation had returned to a normal gait.

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Clinical Parelaphostrongylus tenuis infection in two captive American bison (Bison bison)

Cited by 11 publications

References 11 publications

Naturally Occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis–Associated Choriomeningitis in a Guinea Pig With Neurologic Signs

Naturally Occurring Parelaphostrongylus tenuis–Associated Choriomeningitis in a Guinea Pig With Neurologic Signs

Diagnosis of Parelaphostrongylus spp. infection as a cause of meningomyelitis in calves

Treatment of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in a Boer Buck

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