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Tierarztl Prax Ausg G Grosstiere Nutztiere 2022; 50(04): 280-285
DOI: 10.1055/a-1901-5181
Case Report

First report about a cerebrospinal nematode infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

Erster Fallbericht einer zerebrospinalen Nematodeninfektion in einem Alpaka (Vicugna pacos)
L. Mathias Michaely∗
1   Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
2   Center Systems Neuroscience, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
Doris Hoeltig∗
3   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
Martin Ganter∗
3   Clinic for Swine and Small Ruminants, Forensic Medicine and Ambulatory Service, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
Zaida Rentería-Solís∗
4   Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany
,
Christian Bauer∗
5   Institute of Parasitology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany
,
Wolfgang Baumgärtner∗
1   Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
1   Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
,
Peter Wohlsein
1   Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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Abstract

The number of New World camelids in European farms is rising and thus, the need for veterinary care towards these animals arises. However, veterinary care requires sophisticated knowledge on disease and pathogen occurrence within New World camelids. Here, an alpaca cria with neurological signs was admitted to the veterinary clinic. Although the animal was treated with antibiotics, vitamins and dexamethason, it refused to drink milk and the clinical status worsened. After euthanasia, necropsy and histopathological examination were carried out and revealed intracerebral nematode larvae. The morphology of these larvae strongly suggests them to be Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasite of raccoons. The extended history revealed that a fully grown raccoon was living within farm enclosures, suggesting an infection of the alpaca and the development of a cerebrospinal larva migrans. This zoonotic disease is characterized by aberrant larval migration that typically shows extraintestinal migration in dead-end hosts. The aim of this report is to sensitize practical colleagues towards this rare, but occasionally fatal infection in New World camelids while familiarizing diagnostic pathologists with the morphological characteristics of this disease.

Zusammenfassung

Die Zahl landwirtschaftlich gehaltener Neweultkameliden nimmt in Europa stetig zu und daher wächst der Bedarf an veterinärmedizinischer Betreuung dieser Tiere. Eine kompetente Betreuung benötigt jedoch umfassendes Wissen zum Vorkommen von Erkrankungen und Krankheitserregern bei Neuweltkameliden. Im vorliegenden Fall wurde ein Alpaka-Cria mit neurologischen Ausfallerscheinungen in die Tierklinik eingewiesen. Trotz der Gabe von Antibiotika, Vitaminen und Dexamethason verschlechterte sich der Zustand des Tieres, und es verweigerte die Milchaufnahme. Nach der Euthanasie wurden eine Sektion und eine histopathologische Untersuchung durchgeführt, bei der intrazerebrale Nematodenlarven festgestellt wurden. Die Morphologie der Larven spricht für Baylisascaris procyonis, einen bei Waschbären verbreiteten Parasiten. Der erweiterte Vorbericht ergab, dass ein ausgewachsener Waschbär innerhalb der Farm gelebt hat und daher ist von einer Infektion des Alpakas mit anschließender, zerebrospinaler Larva migrans auszugehen. Diese zoonotische Erkrankung ist durch eine aberrante Nematodenlarvenmigration gekennzeichnet und tritt typischerweise in Fehlwirten auf. Das Ziel des vorliegenden Fallberichts ist es, die klinisch tätigen Kollegen für diese seltene, aber mitunter fatale Infektion zu sensibilisieren und die diagnostisch tätigen Pathologen mit der Morphologie dieser Erkrankung vertraut zu machen.

Key words

Baylisascaris procyonis - alpaca - parasitic encephalitis - Larva migrans

Schlüsselwörter

Baylisascaris procyonis - Alpaka - Parasitäre Enzephalitis - Larva migrans


Publikationsverlauf

Eingereicht: 19. Juni 2021

Angenommen: 29. Dezember 2021

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
06. September 2022

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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