Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis Research Articles

EPIZOOTIOLOGY OF AN OUTBREAK OF CEREBROSPINAL NEMATODIASIS IN COTTONTAIL RABBITS AND WOODCHUCKS

An epizootic of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus) and woodchucks (Marmota monax) caused by Baylisascaris procyonis larvae followed the establishment of an ascarid-infected raccoon (Procyon lotor) population in a woodlot. Five of seven raccoons examined from the woodlot harbored ascarids, with one heavily infected animal shedding approximately 27,500 eggs per gram of feces. A laboratory-reared cottontail rabbit developed neurologic disease due to larval migration 80 days after infection with B. procyonis eggs from the raccoons.

Infection of the Jird, Meriones unguiculatus, with the Filarial Worm, Dipetalonema viteae: Central Nervous System Invasion and Pathology

Serious central nervous system (CNS) disturbances, and death in some instances, occurred in 23 (18%) of 125 Meriones unguiculatus (Mongolian jirds) infected with Dipetalonema viteae. D. viteae was found in the CNS of 17 (74%) of these animals. The principal signs observed were hemiplegia, paraplegia, and ataxia. The majority of cases developed between 30 and 90 days following infection (range: 19 days to 191/2 months). Infection with as few as 19 larvae and as many as 200 resulted in invasion of the CNS. One worm at most was found in the CNS of any animal. All worms in the CNS were 5th stage, the majority being gravid females. Most worms were found in subcutaneous sites, and in and on the surface of muscles; they also penetrated the spleen, liver, stomach wall, and epicardium. Inflammatory lesions developed early in the infection, and many organisms were encapsulated and eventually killed. Various types of lesions encountered in the CNS and in other organs are described and discussed. The evidence indicates that invasion of the CNS is a fortuitous event, the worm entering through a foramen in the base of the skull or between vertebrae. Attention is directed to the possible invasion of the CNS of man by filariae. D. viteae developed to maturity in M. hurrianae, but not in Pachyuromys duprasi natronensis; in neither of these 2 species did invasion of the CNS occur. Various nematodes have been reported to invade the central nervous system (CNS) of man and animals. Among the filarial worms one species, Setaria digitata, has been principally incriminated as a cause of disease. The natural hosts of S. digitata are cattle and water buffalo (Shoho, 1956), and in these animals the parasite resides in the peritoneal cavity. In certain strains of abnormal hosts (sheep, goats, horses), the immature organism may invade the CNS to give rise to lumbar paralysis, or as it has subsequently been termed, cerebrospinal nematodiasis (Innes, Shoho, and Pillai, 1952). Such invasion may also occur in the normal host, but with a considerably lower frequency (Shoho, 1956). The experimental production of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in goats in Japan was reported by Ishii et al. (1953). Comprehensive reviews of the disease have been published by Innes, Shoho, and Received for publication 14 June 1973. * Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20014. Present address: Department of Biology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556. t Laboratory of Experimental Pathology, National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland 20014, and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Washington, D. C. 20305. Present address: Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas Medical Center, Little Rock, Arkansas. Pillai (1952), Innes and Shoho (1953), Shoho (1955), Innes and Saunders (1962), and Ander on (1968). One other filarial species has been found to invade the CNS of mammals. A case was r ported in Japan of the presence of adult worms of Dirofilaria immitis in the lateral ventricles of a dog suspected to be rabid (Taguchi, Takehara, and Uriu, 1959), and cerebral infarction caused by several adult D. immitis was observed in a dog in the United States (Patton and Garner, 1970). Presumptive evidence exists of the invasion of the CNS of man by Acanthocheilonema perstans based on the findings of microfilariae resembling those of A. perstans in the spinal fluid in association with neurological disorders (Dukes et al., 1968). The present study concerns the invasion of the CNS of the jird, Meriones unguiculatus, by the filarial worm Dipetalonema viteae under experimental laboratory conditions, with the production of severe disease, and death in some instances. The study was initiated when it was observed in the first group of infected jirds intended for stock infections that a number of animals exhibited CNS disorders associated with the presence of D. viteae in the nervous system. A preliminary report of some of the findings has been published previously (Weinstein and Highman, 1965).

Pneumostrongylus tenuis in Moose on a Deer-Free Island

Analysis of fresh moose (Alces alces) feces from Isle Royale, Michigan, a deer-free island in Lake Superior, and northeastern Minnesota, an area with a low white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) population, revealed incidences of 0.8 and 0.6 percent respectively of the first-stage larva of Pneumostrongylus tenuis, the etiological agent of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in moose. The report of this parasite is from an area that has been deer-free for 30 years. The common host of the nematode Pneumostrongylus tenuis is considered to be the white-tailed deer. The parasite is now recognized as the etiological agent of cerebrospinal nematodiasis in moose (Anderson 1964). Infection is often fatal to moose, and heavy mortality has been recorded in areas where deer are abundant (Anderson 1965a, Karns 1967, Smith et al. 1964). Anderson (1965a), finding no record, raises the ques1 Joint contribution of Minnesota Division of Game and Fish and Purdue University. Field work receiving principal support from the National Science Foundation (GB-5124), the National Geographic Society, and the National Park Service: D. L. Allen, project director. Purdue University AES Journal Paper No. 3377. tion of whether this parasite can exist independently of white-tailed deer. Isle Royale, Michigan, lies 12 miles from the nearest off-shore islands and 15 miles off the north shore of Lake Superior. Woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus) were present on the 210-square-mile island at one time and disappeared about 19'25 (Mech 1966:16). Mech and others felt that moose immigrated to the island from the mainland in the early 1900's. Twelve white-tailed deer were introduced in 1906, and may have persisted until about 1936 (Johnsson and Shelton 1964). All that we can assume about the growth and continuity of the introduced deer population is that deer were present ether this parasite can exist intl of white-tailed d er. ale, ichigan, lies 12 miles from This content downloaded from 157.55.39.102 on Mon, 03 Oct 2016 04:08:52 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms 432 Journal of Wildlife Management, Vol. 33, No. 2, April 1969 Table 1. Summary of moose fecal samples collected from Isle Royale, Michigan, and examined for first stage larvae of Pneumostrongylus tenuis. FECES FROM WOLFRANDOM FECES KILLED MOOSE COLLECTION COLLECTION Larvae Larvae Larvae Larvae PEmOD Present Absent Present Absent

Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis with Focal Encephalomalacia as a Cause of Paralysis of Beavers (Castor Canadensis) in the Dublin Zoological Gardens

SUMMARY Fatal paralysis has occurred in beavers in the Dublin Zoological Gardens for some years, and it has been found impossible to raise this species to maturity. Immature worms or larvae which are probably ascarids appear to be the cause of a focal malacia of the brain and almost certainly account for the neuroparalytic signs. We have no idea what are the natural hosts of these parasites. The case adds to a growing list of diseases which are caused by helminth parasites migrating to the central nervous system of a great variety of mammalian hosts.

An examination of wild moose exhibiting neurologic signs, in Ontario.

The central nervous systems of three wild moose (Alces a. americana) exhibiting neurologic signs, in the Kenora district of Ontario, Canada, were studied histologically. A diagnosis of cerebrospinal nematodiasis (Pneumostrongylus tenuis) was made in all three animals.

Neurologie Disease in Moose Infected Experimentally with Pneumostrongylus tenuis from White-Tailed Deer

An experiment was undertaken to test the hypothesis that moose neurologic disease is cerebrospinal nematodiasis. Two moose calves ( Alces a. americana) were infected with Pneumostrongylus tenuis derived from white-tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus borealis). Two to three weeks later both calves became lethargic and seemed unwilling to rise. This weakness and ataxia became progressively more pronounced and terminated in paraplegia. One calf was autopsied on the 40th day, the other on the 60th day. Fifth-stage P. tenuis were found in saline in which the central nervous system of the first calf had been placed. Numerous subadult worms were found in subdural spaces of the cranium and vertebral column of the second moose. Histological study revealed additional worms and traumatic damage in the central canal and dorsal horns of the cord of both calves. Focal malacia with micro-cavitation was found in all regions of the cord. Infiltrations of round cells and eosinophils in the leptomeninges, the ventral fissure and the dorsal sulcus, perivascular cuffing with round cells, petechial haemorrhages, neuron degeneration and loss, as well as swelling and disappearance of axis cylinders and myelin sheaths were observed. The known distribution and characteristics of neurologic disease in wild moose supports the hypothesis that P. tenuis is the ætiological agent.

Cerebrospinal and Muscular Nematodiasis (Elaphostrongylus Rangiferi) in Swedish Reindeer

Twenty reindeer, most between eight and twelwe months old, were autopsied during the first half of 1961. Eight of these animals had ishown degrees of ataxia or posterior paresis and the other, signs of general weakness. Most of the animals were in a state of inanition. Nematodes belonging to the genus Elaphostrongylus (E. rangiferi) were found in the leptoimeninges of the brain and spinal cord in sixteen of these animals. E. rangiferi was also found in the skeletal musculature of five of seven animals examined and in the middle ear of one animal. Nematode larvae apparently of E. rangiferi, were present in various tissues of some animals. Eggs, often in large clumps, were found in the central nervous system and musculature of six animals and in the hypophysis of one animal. The presence of the nematodes could be associated with a lymphohistiocytic and eosinophilic meningitis, particularly at the level of the cauda equina, the junction between cervical and thoracic regions of the spinal cord, and over the brain. In some animals inflammatory exudate was also present in the superficial layers of the brain. Parasitic granulomas were also found in the meninges about the cauda equina in many animals. No definite signs of mechanical damage could be observed in the brain and spinal cord which could be attributed to the nematodes. The meningitis was often associated with degenerative changes in the spinal nerve roots. Inflammatory and degenerative changes were observed in the proximal portions of the sciatic nerves. The presence of Elaphostrongylus in the central nervous system hais been considered to be the cause of the lesions and the locomotory disability observed. This form of cerebrospinal nematodiasis is apparently quite common among Swedish reindeer.

Kumri—so-called Lumbar Paralysis—Of Horses in Ceylon (India And Burma), and its Identification with Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis

For over a decade, Salmonella contamination has increasingly led to outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with fresh produce. The use of untreated animal manures, or biological soil amendments of animal origin, to amend agricultural soils holds a risk of contamination from foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence, concentration, serotypes, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella in poultry litter from Florida farms. Litter pH, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus (P2O5), total potassium (K2O), moisture content, total solids, total ash, organic matter, and aerobic plate count (APC) were also measured. Litter samples (n = 54) were collected from 18 broiler farms across three seasons (spring, summer, and winter). Salmonella concentrations were enumerated using a most-probable-number (MPN) method, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed. The prevalence of Salmonella in litter samples was 61.1%, with a geometric mean of 0.21 ± 20.7 MPN/g. Across all seasons, Salmonella concentrations were not influenced by the chemical, physical, or microbial properties measured. Recovered Salmonella isolates (n = 290) were grouped into serogroups O:4 (43.1%), O:7 (26.9%), O:8 (11.0%), O:1,3,10,19 (7.9%), and O:9,46 (7.2%). Serotyping Salmonella isolates (n = 47) resulted in 12 serotypes, with the most common being Typhimurium (27.7%), Kentucky (17.0%), Enteritidis (14.9%), and Mbandaka (14.9%). Antimicrobial resistance to tetracycline (29.8%), sulfisoxazole (23.4%), and streptomycin (14.9%) was observed. No isolates were resistant to more than two antimicrobial agents. This study provides valuable information for future risk assessments for the use of poultry litter as an untreated biological soil amendment of animal origin.Prevalence and concentration of Salmonella in Florida poultry litter were examined.Serovars Typhimurium, Kentucky, Enteritidis, and Mbandaka were most common.Antimicrobial resistance to tetracycline, sulfisoxazole, and streptomycin was seen.Multidrug-resistant Salmonella isolates were not observed.

Study of Setaria (Nematoda) in native ruminants and their relation to epizootic cerebrospinal nematodiasis (setariosis)

Falle von „Epizootischer cerebrospinaler Nematodiasis“ sind bisher in Europa nicht bekannt geworden. Nach den derzeitigen Kenntnissen konnen solche Erkrankungen allein den Jugendstadien der Setaria digitata zugeschrieben werden. Es wurden daher Setarien aus Rindern, Hirschen und Rehen einer genauen Untersuchung unterzogen, um zu klaren, ob die von anderen Autoren geauserte Ansicht uber die Synonymie der Setaria digitata und der Setaria cervi mit dem eigenen Material in Einklang zu bringen ist. Dabei ergab sich: 1. Die Setarien aus dem Reh gehoren der Art Setaria tundraIsaitschikow et Rajevsky 1928 an. 2. Unter unseren Setarien aus dem Rinde und aus dem Hirsch haben wir bei den Weibchen bezuglich der angegebenen Hauptmerkmale alle Ubergange zwischen „Set. cervi“ und „Set. digitata“ angetroffen. 3. Da sich keine der Art Setaria digitata allein zukommenden Merkmale aufrechterhalten lassen, ist sie als synonym mit der Setaria cervi zu betrachten.

Further Observations on Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis in Animals: II.—The Problems of Reinfection by Nematodes and Clinically-Silent Cases

Further Observations on Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis in Animals: II.—The Problems of Reinfection by Nematodes and Clinically-Silent Cases

Cerebrospinal nematodiasis as a provoking factor in Japanese B encephalitis: an experimental approach.

Cerebrospinal nematodiasis as a provoking factor in Japanese B encephalitis: an experimental approach.

The Possible Occurrence of Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis in Goats in India

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to provide beneficial effects on health; however, the amount consumed in food is far from that required for the desired effects. Thus, increasing the CLA content in dairy foods through milk fermentation with specific lactic acid bacteria (LAB) offers an interesting alternative. Moreover, some LAB may be able to adhere to the intestinal mucosa and produce CLA through endogenous synthesis. Therefore, the objective of this study was to screen LAB isolates for their ability to produce CLA in skim milk and in simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, the ability of selected CLA-producing LAB to adhere to the intestinal mucosa in a murine model was assessed. Results showed that of 13 strains of Lactobacillus tested, only 4 were able to produce CLA in skim milk supplemented with linoleic acid (13.44 ± 0.78 to 50.9 ± 0.26 µg/mL). Furthermore, these 4 Lactobacillus strains were able to survive and produce CLA in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and to adhere to the intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats after 7 d of oral inoculation with fluorescently labeled bacteria. Accordingly, these 4 Lactobacillus strains may be used to manufacture fermented dairy foods to increase CLA content, and consumption of these fermented milks may result in CLA produced endogenously by these LAB.

CEREBROSPINAL NEMATODIASIS

OBSERVATIONS on diseases of domesticated animals often have a lengthy incubation period before they are noticed by medical workers; inaccessibility of veterinary journals plays some part, while factual relevance to medical problems may not be quickly evident. Many examples could be given in which, indeed, studies in animal pathology were the start of a train of events leading to the ultimate identification of comparable disorders or focused attention on new etiological factors in the production of disease. A classic instance is the observation of Griffith Evans 1 (1880) that a trypanosome (Trypanosoma evansi) caused surra (trypanosomiasis) in mules and horses in India. This must have had far-reaching effects, for it surely had an influence on the work of Bruce, Dutton, and Castellani (Scott, 2 1942) on the cause of African sleeping sickness (trypanosomiasis) in animals and man, more than 20 years later. The present studies on cerebrospinal nematodiasis may once

Further Observations on Epizootic Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis:: I. Chemotherapeutic Control of the Disease by I-Diethylcarbamyl-4-Methylpiperazine Citrate: Preliminary Field Trial

Further Observations on Epizootic Cerebrospinal Nematodiasis:: I. Chemotherapeutic Control of the Disease by I-Diethylcarbamyl-4-Methylpiperazine Citrate: Preliminary Field Trial

Epizootic Cerebro-Spinal Nematodiasis or Setariasis: focal encephalomyelomalacia in animals in the Orient caused by immature Setaria Digitata: a disease which may occur in animals in other parts of the world

Epizootic Cerebro-Spinal Nematodiasis or Setariasis: focal encephalomyelomalacia in animals in the Orient caused by immature Setaria Digitata: a disease which may occur in animals in other parts of the world