Elaeophora in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina)

Abstract

An adult nematode was grossly identified in the meninges of a Malayan sambar (Rusa unicolor equina), with numerous microfilariae associated with encephalitis and vasculitis on histopathology. The nematode was confirmed to be Elaeophora schneideri by sequencing a portion of the 18S rRNA gene. Our report highlights the potential for aberrant migration of E. schneideri in exotic deer species and the use of advanced testing to specifically identify this metazoan parasite, avoiding misidentification of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis.

Prevalence and Mortality of Moose (Alces alces) Infected with Elaeophora schneideri in Montana, USA

“…The most common definitive hosts are mule deer and black-tailed deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ; Anderson 2001), which are typically not clinically affected. Presence has also been documented in other wild ruminants including white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ; Couvillion et al 1986), elk ( Cervus canadensis ; Adcock and Hibler 1969), moose ( Alces alces ; Henningsen et al 2012; LeVan et al 2013), and bighorn sheep ( Ovis canadensis ; Boyce et al 1999), as well as within introduced populations of sika deer ( Cervus nippon ; Robinson et al 1978), Barbary sheep ( Ammotragus lervia ; Pence and Gray 1981), and a captive Malayan sambar ( Rasa unicolor equina ; Bernard et al 2016).…”