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Neuroangiostrongyliasis due to A ngiostrongylus cantonensis in gang‐gang cockatoos ( C allocephalon fimbriatum )
Author(s) -
Reece RL,
Perry RA,
Spratt DM
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12116
Subject(s) - histopathology , angiostrongylus cantonensis , biology , malacia , pathology , parasite hosting , spinal cord , helminths , immunology , medicine , neuroscience , world wide web , computer science , airway , surgery
Case report Four gang‐gang cockatoos from an aviary in S ydney displayed severe neurological signs. Three were necropsied and histopathology of the brains and spinal cords revealed migrating nematodes, which were identified as A ngiostrongylus cantonensis. The migrating larval nematodes created tracts of malacia in the brain, but elicited little inflammatory cell infiltration. However, adult nematodes that had emerged onto the meningeal surface of the spinal cord evoked a marked non‐suppurative reaction. Detailed histological examination of other tissues revealed larvae embedded in arterioles in the gastrointestinal serosa, lung and heart, which were associated with a significant granulomatous response. The latter lesions were consistent with our understanding of the pathogenesis of infection with this parasite, but have not been previously described, probably as a result of limited sampling. Conclusions A ngiostrongylus cantonensis is still present in the S ydney area and can cause significant disease in exposed animals, including birds. It also highlights potential human health problems.