BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS LARVA MIGRANS IN TWO CAPTIVE NORTH AMERICAN BEAVERS (CASTOR CANADENSIS)

Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans was diagnosed in two North American beavers ( Castor canadensis ) belonging to a zoological park in Clarke County, Georgia. Both beavers presented with neurological signs. One beaver died naturally and despite attempted treatment, the other beaver was euthanatiz...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of zoo and wildlife medicine Vol. 48; no. 1; p. 232
Main Authors Desprez, Isabelle, Yabsley, Michael J, Fogelson, Susan B, Hicks, Jill A, Barber, Renee, Sladakovic, Izidora, Secrest, Scott A, Divers, Stephen J, Mayer, Jörg
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.03.2017
Subjects
Animals
Animals, Zoo
Ascaridida Infections - diagnosis
Ascaridida Infections - parasitology
Ascaridida Infections - veterinary
Ascaridoidea
Fatal Outcome
Female
Larva Migrans - diagnosis
Larva Migrans - parasitology
Larva Migrans - veterinary
Male
Rodentia
Procyon lotor
raccoon
Castor canadensis
Baylisascaris procyonis
beaver
larva migrans
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Summary:Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans was diagnosed in two North American beavers ( Castor canadensis ) belonging to a zoological park in Clarke County, Georgia. Both beavers presented with neurological signs. One beaver died naturally and despite attempted treatment, the other beaver was euthanatized because of severe clinical signs and poor prognosis. Histologic evaluation of the beavers revealed evidence of parasitic migration characterized by several lesions, including eosinophilic granulomas in various organs, as well as necrotizing eosinophilic and lymphoplasmacytic to granulomatous polioencephalitis, leukoencephalitis and cervical leukomyelitis. This represents the first confirmed case of B. procyonis larva migrans in beaver and the first non-raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) host in the southeastern United States. This report highlights the need for clinicians and diagnosticians to consider baylisascariasis in animals with compatible clinical signs. Preventative measures should be considered for captive animals, because early diagnosis of B. procyonis is challenging, and treatment is often unrewarding.
ISSN:1042-7260
DOI:10.1638/2016-0102.1