title: Canine neural angiostrongylosis: a case-control study in Sydney dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the risk factors for canine neural angiostrongylosis in dogs domiciled in Sydney, Australia; geographic location, age, sex, neuter status, weight and breed were assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case and matched-control dogs were selected from three veterinary clinics in Sydney. Conditional logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with disease status. A scan statistic was used to identify disease clusters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age (young dogs) and neuter status (entire dogs) were independent risk factors for neural angiostrongylosis diagnosis, and diagnoses predominantly occurred during autumn, with some evidence of spatial clustering.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Veterinarians in endemic areas should be aware of these risk factors when presented with suspect canine neural angiostrongylosis cases and also should consider advising clients of preventive treatment. Potential human health risks should be further investigated, because urban dog populations might represent a useful sentinel species for disease in humans.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spielman
authors.affiliation: Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.affiliation: North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Specialist Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.affiliation: Rose Bay Veterinary Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Linton
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Ward
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D017185:Angiostrongylus cantonensis; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D017206:Strongylida Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Angiostrongylus cantonensis; angiostrongylosis; dogs; lungworm; rats; slugs; snails