Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Equine neural angiostrongylosis.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Wright, J D et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Queensland. · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two young horses, known as foals, were found to have a serious brain and spinal cord infection caused by larvae from a parasite called Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The main sign of illness was weakness in all four legs, but further examination showed that they had a more complex and worsening neurological problem. Initially, the veterinarians thought the issue might be due to another type of parasite, but when they examined the spinal cord, they found live larvae of A. cantonensis. Tests of the brain and spinal cord confirmed the presence of these larvae. Unfortunately, both foals did not survive.
Abstract
Verminous encephalomyelitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis larvae was diagnosed in 2 foals at necropsy. The principal clinical feature was tetraparesis, although history and neurological examination revealed progressive and multifocal neurological disease. At presentation, a tentative diagnosis of parasitic larval migration involving the central nervous system (CNS), presumably due to Strongylus vulgaris, was proposed. Dissection of the spinal cord in one case resulted in recovery of intact larvae of both sexes of A. cantonensis. In both foals, histopathology of the brain and spinal cord revealed nematode sections which were consistent with A. cantonensis larvae.
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