title: BAYLISASCARIS PROCYONIS LARVA MIGRANS IN TWO CAPTIVE NORTH AMERICAN BEAVERS (CASTOR CANADENSIS).
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Desprez
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Yabsley
authors.forename: Susan B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Fogelson
authors.forename: Jill A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hicks
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: Izidora
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sladakovic
authors.forename: Scott A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Secrest
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Divers
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mayer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D017191:Ascaridida Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001199:Ascaridoidea; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D007815:Larva Migrans / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D012377:Rodentia
keywords: Baylisascaris procyonis; Castor canadensis; Procyon lotor; beaver; larva migrans; raccoon