Baylisascaris procyonis larva migrans in two white-headed lemurs (Eulemur albifrons) in Spain and response to treatment derived from a human pediatric protocol.
Baylisascaris procyonis is a well-known ascaridoid nematode that causes larva migrans in humans and many other animal species. The North American raccoon (Procyon lotor) is the definitive host, which has been successfully introduced in the past decades to other geographical regions around the world. Two white-headed lemurs (Eulemuralbifrons) from a Zoological Park in Lugo, Spain, developed severe neurological signs within a brief period after being transferred from exhibit and placed in close contact with three captive raccoons from the same zoo. One lemur was euthanized due to the severity of disease progression and histopathology revealed granulomatous inflammation and ascaridoid larvae in kidneys, lung, spleen and brain. Larvae were identified as B. procyonis larvae by real time PCR. In light of the results, the cage mate with similar neurological signs was put on an albendazole treatment regimen adapted from a human pediatric protocol. The aggressive anthelmintic treatment likely contributed to the arrest of clinical signs and recovery of some motor skills. Importantly, Baylisascaris procyonis infection might occur in wild raccoon populations in Spain.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain. Electronic address: mariadji@vet.ucm.es.
Maria-Angeles
MA
Jimenez Martinez
Marcelle Natureza Zoological Park, Lugo, Spain. Electronic address: servet.marcellenatureza@gmail.com.
Esther
E
Valderrabano Cano
Marcelle Natureza Zoological Park, Lugo, Spain. Electronic address: servet.marcellenatureza@gmail.com.
Jose L
JL
Rois
D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000469:parasitology; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D007900:Lemur / Q000469:parasitology*; D008168:Lung / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D011821:Raccoons / Q000469:parasitology*; D013030:Spain; D013154:Spleen / Q000469:parasitology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole
Baylisascaris procyonis; Larva migrans; Lemur; Raccoon; Zoonosis