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Antemortem diagnosis of canine neural angiostrongylosis using ELISA
Author(s) -
LUNN J,
LEE R,
MARTIN P,
MALIK R
Publication year - 2003
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/j.1751-0813.2003.tb11071.x
Subject(s) - angiostrongylus cantonensis , pleocytosis , ataxia , medicine , angiostrongyliasis , pathology , cerebrospinal fluid , prednisolone , lower motor neuron , biology , helminths , motor neuron , immunology , gastroenterology , psychiatry , disease
A 5‐month‐old female Kelpie developed paraparesis, hind limb ataxia and spinal hyperaesthesia 4 days after ovariohysterectomy. Neurological examination demonstrated upper motor neuron signs in the pelvic limbs with lower motor neuron signs in the tail. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis demonstrated an increased protein concentration and marked eosinophilic pleocytosis. The dog was known to have eaten rats, snails and slugs. A tentative diagnosis of neural angiostrongylosis was made and later confirmed using an ELISA based on soluble antigens obtained from larval 4 Angiostrongylus cantonensis . Antibody titres from the patient's serum and CSF were 800 and 6400, respectively. The dog was treated successfully with prednisolone. ELISA testing of serum may provide a non‐invasive means for diagnosing neural angiostrongylosis in dogs.