Naturally Occurring Cerebrospinal Parelaphostrongylosis in a Heifer

Duncan, Robert B.; Patton, Sharon

doi:10.1177/104063879801000313

Cited by 17 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…The nodular lymphoid hyperplasia seen in the spinal cord in both calves in the present report was previously reported in 1 presumptive case of bovine parelaphostrongylosis in an angus calf. 5 Bovine parelaphostrongylosis is an unusual lesion that has not been reported in other species with aberrant central nervous system P. tenuis migration other than a 1977 report in fallow deer (Dama dama). 16 In the case of the previously reported angus calf, 5 nematodes were not present within the lymphoid nodules; however, degenerate nematodes were present in the lymphoid nodules of the fallow deer 16 as they were in the 2 necropsied calves reported herein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 Bovine parelaphostrongylosis is an unusual lesion that has not been reported in other species with aberrant central nervous system P. tenuis migration other than a 1977 report in fallow deer (Dama dama). 16 In the case of the previously reported angus calf, 5 nematodes were not present within the lymphoid nodules; however, degenerate nematodes were present in the lymphoid nodules of the fallow deer 16 as they were in the 2 necropsied calves reported herein. This type of hyperplastic lymphoid tissue with germinal centers suggests a marked response to chronic antigenic stimulation driven by the presence of the nematodes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…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%

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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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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2011

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“…5,12 Horses might be similarly resistant because parasitic neurologic disease is rare in spite of extensive pasture overlap with infected white-tailed deer. For example, prevalence of P. tenuis in white-tailed deer is reported to be as high as 86%, 1 and would presumably provide ample opportunities for parasite exposure.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The northeastern USA has a high density of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that have a high prevalence of P. tenuis infection. This neurotropic nematode causes a debilitating neurologic disease in cervids, 1,6 ovids, 1 bovids, 1,5,12 and camelids. 1 Recently, Van Biervliet et al identified a Metastrongyloidea nematode in the CNS of a horse, 11 but specific identification of the parasite was not possible.…”

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confidence: 99%

Verminous Encephalitis in a Horse Produced by Nematodes in the Family Protostrongylidae

Tanabe¹,

Kelly²,

Lahunta³

et al. 2007

Vet Pathol

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Abstract. Parasitic granulomatous eosinophilic inflammation was observed in the central nervous system (CNS) of a 6-month-old Arabian colt from New York state. Inflammation was associated with eggs, larvae, and adult nematodes in the cerebellum. Nematodes had histological characteristics of the superfamily Metastrongyloidea. The presence of dorsal-spined larvae in the CNS was further indicative of infection with a nematode in the family Protostrongylidae. Infections were most compatible with Parelaphostrongylus tenuis but specific diagnosis was not possible. This is the first definitive report of a protostrongylid nematode infection in a horse.Key words: CNS; dorsal-spined larvae; histopathology; horses; Metastrongyloidea; nematodes; parasitic encephalomyelitis; Parelaphostrongylus tenuis.Parasitic migratory encephalomyelitis is a rare but important cause of neurologic disease in horses. Metazoan parasites identified from the equine central nervous system (CNS) include nematodes (Strongylus vulgaris, S. equinus, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Halicephalobus gingivalis, Setaria spp., and Draschia megastoma) and fly larvae (Hypoderma spp.). 9 We identified parasitic nematodes in the CNS of a young horse in New York state. Nematode morphology and its occupation of the CNS were most compatible with the meningeal worm, Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. The northeastern USA has a high density of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) that have a high prevalence of P. tenuis infection. This neurotropic nematode causes a debilitating neurologic disease in cervids, 1,6 ovids, 1 bovids, 1,5,12 and camelids.1 Recently, Van Biervliet et al. identified a Metastrongyloidea nematode in the CNS of a horse, 11 but specific identification of the parasite was not possible. Here we present the first definitive report of protostrongylid nematodes in the CNS of a horse.A 6-month-old male Arabian horse had acute onset of an abnormal gait and held its head to the right. There was no history of pyrexia or systemic illness. The colt was born in New York state and had not traveled to other states. Clinical signs persisted following treatment with dexamethasone, and the horse was referred to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals. Clinical examination revealed marked spastic tetraparesis and ataxia in all four limbs. The head and neck were held to the right side. A C1 to C5 lesion was suspected. Cerebrospinal fluid contained mildly increased protein (116 mg/dl, normal range 5-100 mg/dl) and 1200 cells/ml (58% lymphocytes, 40% neutrophils, 2% macrophages, and a few eosinophils and erythrocytes). Cervical radiographs were suspicious for subluxation at the atlanto-occipital joint. Computed tomography (CT) examinations were normal except for a mild atlantooccipital joint subluxation, and a light weight cast was applied as treatment for the subluxation. The foal was unable to stand on recovery from anesthesia for the CT scan and struggled violently to attempt to stand. The patient was humanely euthanized and a necropsy was performed.Necropsy e...

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Extrapulmonary Lungworms of Cervids

Lankester¹

2001

Parasitic Diseases of Wild Mammals

163

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Naturally Occurring Cerebrospinal Parelaphostrongylosis in a Heifer

Cited by 17 publications

References 12 publications

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

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

Verminous Encephalitis in a Horse Produced by Nematodes in the Family Protostrongylidae

Extrapulmonary Lungworms of Cervids

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