Neurologic Diseases in Llamas and Alpacas

Whitehead, Claire; Bedenice, Daniela

doi:10.1016/j.cvfa.2009.02.004

Cited by 62 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Similar spinal cord abnormalities have been observed in other species that failed to recover completely after treatment for aberrant P. tenuis migration. 11,15,24 The remaining 3 calves made a clinical recovery, as often reported for camelids and small ruminants following similar treatment. 12,14,24 In other aberrant hosts, preventative management recommendations are based upon decreasing exposure to the definitive host (white-tailed deer) and the intermediate host (snails and slugs) in addition to properly timed anthelminthic administration for aberrant larval migration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…Clinical signs of P. tenuis infection are well documented in other species, with the classic development of progressive, asymmetrical hind limb weakness, and ataxia. 1,[12][13][14][15]19,24 More advanced cases may show fore limb involvement. 17,19 Uncommonly, clinical signs of scoliosis and central brain disease are reported.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 There are several clinical reports of various treatment protocols for small ruminants and camelids including ivermectin, fenbendazole, diethylcarbamazine, levamisole, and moxidectin. [13][14][15]24 After the presumptive diagnosis of aberrant migration of P. tenuis was made based on CSF analysis and preliminary necropsy findings, the 4 surviving animals in the current study were treated with a combination of anthelmintics and with dexamethasone, using protocols extrapolated for treating suspected P. tenuis infections in small ruminants and camelids. [13][14][15]24 There are no controlled clinical studies to confirm an increased efficacy of using a combined anthelmintic treatment, although this is commonly recommended in both camelids and small ruminants with P. tenuis 14,15 and was, therefore, recommended for treatment of these calves.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

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: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

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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“…7,9,12,19 However, these lesions may also indicate other neurologic conditions, such as encephalitis due to a variety of viral or parasitic causes. A conclusive test for P. tenuis is critical for proper diagnosis.…”

Section: Research-article2014mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While P. tenuis rarely causes clinical signs or lesions in the definitive host, it creates severe neurological problems in aberrant or dead-end hosts such as elk (or red deer; Cervus elaphus), moose (or Eurasian elk; Alces alces), llamas (Lama glama), alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and numerous other cloven hoof stock, including goats (Capra aegagrus). 1,9,19 Clinical signs include ataxia, circling, head tilt, hind limb paresis, arched neck, blindness, and eventual death. 9,12,17,19 Dead-end hosts become affected by ingesting terrestrial snails and slugs infected with third-stage larvae.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Retrospective study of central nervous system lesions and association with Parelaphostrongylus species by histology and specific nested polymerase chain reaction in domestic camelids and wild ungulates

et al. 2014

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Abstract. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from elk (Cervus elaphus), goats, and camelids with case histories and lesions suggestive of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis were examined by histology to characterize lesions that could aid in definitively diagnosing P. tenuis infection. Additionally, sections of paraffin-embedded tissue were used in a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) using Parelaphostrongylus-specific primers to determine how PCR results corresponded with histological findings. Histological changes in brain and spinal cord consisted of linear tracks of hemorrhage; tracks or perivascular accumulations of hemosiderin-laden macrophages; acute foci of axonal degeneration and/or linear glial scars; and perivascular, parenchymal, or meningeal accumulations of eosinophils and/or lymphocytes and plasma cells. Of the 43 samples with histologic lesions consistent with neural larval migrans, 19 were PCR positive; however, only 8 were confirmed Parelaphostrongylus by DNA sequencing. Additionally, 1 goat was identified with a protostrongylid that had a 97% identity to both Parelaphostrongylus odocoilei and a protostrongylid nematode from pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus celer) from Argentina. None of the histologic lesions individually or in combination correlated statistically to positive molecular tests for the nematode. The results indicate that it is possible to extract Parelaphostrongylus DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded tissue, but extended fixation presumably can cause DNA crosslinking. Nested PCR provides another diagnostic tool to identify the cause of neurologic disease in camelids and elk with histologic lesions consistent with neural larval migrans. Furthermore, potential novel protostrongylid DNA was detected from a goat with lesions consistent with P. tenuis infection, suggesting that other neurotropic Parelaphostrongylus species may occur locally.

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Neurological Examination and Anatomy

Jones

Miesner

2013

Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas

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Neurologic Diseases in Llamas and Alpacas

Cited by 62 publications

References 46 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

Retrospective study of central nervous system lesions and association with Parelaphostrongylus species by histology and specific nested polymerase chain reaction in domestic camelids and wild ungulates

Neurological Examination and Anatomy

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