Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-dfsvx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-27T07:14:13.146Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Magnetic resonance imaging in dogs with neuroangiostrongyliasis (rat lungworm disease)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 September 2020

Matthew K. Wun Open the ORCID record for Matthew K. Wun [Opens in a new window] ,
Richard Malik Open the ORCID record for Richard Malik [Opens in a new window] ,
Jane Yu ,
Kathleen E. Chow ,
Michelle Lau ,
Juan M. Podadera ,
Natalie Webster ,
Rogan Lee ,
Jan Šlapeta Open the ORCID record for Jan Šlapeta [Opens in a new window]  and
Sarah Davies
Matthew K. Wun*
Affiliation:
Veterinary Specialist Services, 1-15 Lexington Rd, Underwood, QLD4119, Australia
Richard Malik
Affiliation:
Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia School of Veterinary and Animal Science, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia
Jane Yu
Affiliation:
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
Kathleen E. Chow
Affiliation:
Sydney Veterinary Emergency & Specialists, 675 Botany Rd, Rosebery, NSW2018, Australia
Michelle Lau
Affiliation:
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
Juan M. Podadera
Affiliation:
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
Natalie Webster
Affiliation:
IDEXX Telemedicine Consultants, 124/45 Gilby Rd, Mount Waverley, VIC 3149, Australia
Rogan Lee
Affiliation:
Centre for Infectious Diseases & Microbiology Laboratory Services, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, NSW 2145, Australia
Jan Šlapeta
Affiliation:
Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW2006, Australia
Sarah Davies
Affiliation:
Veterinary Imaging Associates, 52-56 Atchison St, St Leonards, NSW 2065, Australia
*
Author for correspondence: Matthew K. Wun, E-mail: mwun8768@uni.sydney.edu.au
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of the brain and spinal cord in humans with neuroangiostrongyliasis (NA) due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection has been well reported. Equivalent studies in animals are lacking. This case series describes clinical and MRI findings in 11 dogs with presumptively or definitively diagnosed NA. MRI of the brain and/or spinal cord was performed using high-field (1.5 T) or low-field (0.25 T) scanners using various combinations of transverse, sagittal, dorsal and three-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted (T1W), transverse, sagittal and dorsal T2-weighted (T2W), T2W fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and T2*-weighted (T2*W) gradient echo (GRE), dorsal T2W short tau inversion recovery (STIR) and post-gadolinium transverse, sagittal, dorsal and 3D T1W and transverse T2W FLAIR sequences. In 4/6 cases where the brain was imaged, changes consistent with diffuse meningoencephalitis were observed. Evidence of meningeal involvement was evident even when not clinically apparent. The spinal cord was imaged in 9 dogs, with evidence of meningitis and myelitis detected in regions consistent with the observed neuroanatomical localization. Pathognomonic changes of neural larva migrans, as described in some human patients with NA, were not detected. NA should be considered in the differential diagnosis of dogs with MRI evidence of focal or diffuse meningitis, myelitis and/or encephalitis, especially in areas where A. cantonensis is endemic. If not precluded by imaging findings suggestive of brain herniation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection for cytology, fluid analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) testing should be considered mandatory in such cases after the MRI studies.

Keywords

Angiostrongylus cantonensisdogsmagnetic resonance imaging
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 148 , Special Issue 2: 6th International Workshop on Angiostrongylus and Angiostrongyliasis, Hilo, Hawai'i, USA, January, 2020 , February 2021 , pp. 198 - 205
Check for updates
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ansdell, V and Wattanagoon, Y (2018) Angiostrongylus cantonensis in travelers: clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment. Current Opinion in Infectious Disease 31, 399–408.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barratt, J, Chan, D, Sandaradura, I, Malik, R, Spielman, D, Lee, R, Marriott, D, Harkness, J, Ellis, J and Stark, D (2016) Angiostrongylus cantonensis: a review of its distribution, molecular biology and clinical significance as a human pathogen. Parasitology 143, 1087–1118.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Busse, J, Gottlieb, D, Ferreras, K, Bain, J and Schechter, W (2018) Pharmacological management of severe neuropathic pain in a case of eosinophilic meningitis related to Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Case Reports in Anesthesiology 2018, 1–4.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cardy, TJA and Cornelis, I (2018) Clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging findings in 11 dogs with eosinophilic meningoencephalitis of unknown aetiology. Journal of Small Animal Practice 59, 422–431.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chen, CY, Kuo, CC, Lo, CP, Huang, MY, Wang, YM and Wang, WY (2014) Eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonesis. QJM 107, 573–575.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Cowie, RH (2013) Biology, systematics, life cycle, and distribution of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, the cause of rat lungworm disease. Hawai'i Journal of Medicine & Public Health 72, 6–9.Google ScholarPubMed
Fredens, K, Dahl, R and Venge, P (1985) Eosinophils and cellular injury: the Gordon phenomenon as a model. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings 6, 346–351.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Granger, N, Smith, PM and Jeffery, ND (2010) Clinical findings and treatment of non-infectious meningoencephalomyelitis in dogs: a systematic review of 457 published cases from 1962 to 2008. The Veterinary Journal 184, 290–297.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Henke, D, Vandevelde, M, Gorgas, D, Lang, J, Oevermann, A, O'hara, KL and Berrill, J-P (2009) Eosinophilic granulomatous meningoencephalitis in 2 young Belgian Tervueren Shepherd dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23, 206–210.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ishida, K and Yoshimura, K (1990) Differences in responses of rat-and guinea-pig-eosinophils to eosinophil chemotactic factors derived from Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasite Immunology 12, 269–283.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ishida, K and Yoshimura, K (1992) Characterization of monoclonal antibodies against eosinophil chemotactic factors from young adult worms of Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Parasite Immunology 14, 633–644.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jin, E, Ma, D, Liang, Y, Ji, A and Gan, S (2005) MRI findings of eosinophilic myelomeningoencephalitis due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Clinical Radiology 60, 242–250.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jin, EH, Ma, Q, Ma, DQ, He, W, Ji, AP and Yin, CH (2008) Magnetic resonance imaging of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis following eating freshwater snails. Chinese Medical Journal 121, 67–72.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jindrak, K and Alicata, JE (1970) Experimentally induced Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection in dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research 31, 449–456.Google ScholarPubMed
Kanpittaya, J, Jitpimolmard, S, Tiamkao, S and Mairiang, E (2000) MR findings of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis attributed to Angiostrongylus cantonensis. American Journal of Neuroradiology 21, 1090–1094.Google ScholarPubMed
Lamb, CR, Croson, PJ, Cappello, R and Cherubini, GB (2005) Magnetic resonance imaging findings in 25 dogs with inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 46, 17–22.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lee, R, Pai, T, Churcher, R, Davies, S, Braddock, J, Linton, M, Yu, J, Bell, E, Wimpole, J, Dengate, A, Collins, D, Brown, N, Reppas, G, Jaensch, S, Wun, MK, Martin, P, Slapeta, J and Malik, R (2020) Further studies of neuroangiostrongyliasis (rat lungworm disease) in Australian dogs: 92 new cases (2010–2020) and results for a novel, highly sensitive qPCR assay. Parasitology, 1–9.Google ScholarPubMed
Lunn, JA, Lee, R, Smaller, J, Mackay, BM, King, T, Hunt, GB, Martin, P, Krockenberger, MB, Spielman, D and Malik, R (2012) Twenty two cases of canine neural angiostronglyosis in eastern Australia (2002–2005) and a review of the literature. Parasites & Vectors 5, 70.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackerras, MJ and Sandars, DF (1955) The life history of the rat lung-worm, Angiostrongylus cantonensis (Chen) (Nematoda: metastrongylidae). Australian Journal of Zoology 3, 1–21.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mackie, JT, Lacasse, C and Spratt, D (2013) Patent Angiostrongylus mackerrasae infection in a black flying fox (Pteropus alecto). Australian Veterinary Journal 91, 366–367.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Mason, KV (1987) Canine neural angiostrongylosis: the clinical and therapeutic features of 55 natural cases. Australian Veterinary Journal 64, 201–203.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mason, KV, Prescott, CW, Kelly, WR and Waddell, AH (1976) Granulomatous encephalomyelitis of puppies due to Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Australian Veterinary Journal 52, 295–295.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
McAuliffe, L, Fortin Ensign, S, Volk, C, Quast, T, Narita, M, Cathey, M, Larson, D, McAuliffe, L, Mukaigawara, M, Yetto, J, Ohkusu, K and Bavaro, M (2018) Severe CNS angiostrongyliasis in a young marine: a case report and literature review. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 3099, 1–11.Google Scholar
Parzefall, B, Driver, CJ, Benigni, L and Davies, E (2014) Magnetic resonance imaging characteristics in four dogs with central nervous system neosporosis. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound 55, 539–546.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perez, O, Capron, M, Lastre, M, Venge, P, Khalife, J and Capron, A (1989) Angiostrongylus cantonensis: role of eosinophils in the neurotoxic syndrome (Gordon-like phenomenon). Experimental Parasitology 68, 403–413.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prociv, P and Turner, M (2018) Neuroangiostrongyliasis: the “subarachnoid phase” and its implications for anthelminthic therapy. The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 98, 353–359.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Salvadori, C, Baroni, M, Arispici, M and Cantile, C (2007) Magnetic resonance imaging and pathological findings in a case of canine idiopathic eosinophilic meningoencephalitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice 48, 466–469.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sykes, JE, Sturges, BK, Cannon, MS, Gericota, B, Higgins, RJ, Trivedi, SR, Dickinson, PJ, Vernau, KM, Meyer, W and Wisner, ER (2010) Clinical signs, imaging features, neuropathology, and outcome in cats and dogs with central nervous system cryptococcosis from California. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 24, 1427–1438.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Tsai, Hung-Chin, Tseng, Yu-Ting, Yen, Chuan-Min, Chen, Eng-Rin, Sy, Cheng Len, Lee, Susan Shin-Jung, Wann, Shue-Ren and Chen, Yao-Shen (2012) Brain magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in eosinophilic meningitis caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis infection. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 12, 161–166.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wang, QP, Lai, DH, Zhu, XQ, Chen, XG and Lun, ZR (2008) Human angiostrongyliasis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 8, 621–630.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wilson, MR, Sample, HA, Zorn, KC, Arevalo, S, Yu, G, Neuhaus, J, Federman, S, Stryke, D, Briggs, B, Langelier, C and Berger, A (2019) Clinical metagenomic sequencing for diagnosis of meningitis and encephalitis. New England Journal of Medicine 380, 2327–2340.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Windsor, RC, Sturges, BK, Vernau, KM and Vernau, W (2009) Cerebrospinal fluid eosinophilia in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 23, 275–281.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed