ANGIOSTRONGYLUS CANTONENSIS INFECTION OF THE BRAIN OF A CAPTIVE BENNETT'S WALLABY (MACROPUS RUFOGRISEUS)

Abstract

Eleven immature adult Angiostrongylus cantonensis were recovered from beneath the meninges of a captive Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus) which died after displaying posterior paresis followed by paralysis and intermittent opisthotonic spasms of increasing frequency for 7 days. Congestion and focal malacia with haemorrhage were seen in the brainstem and cerebellum. Sections of worms with scanty inflammatory response were seen beneath the congested haemorrhagic leptomeninges of cerebrum and in a cerebellar folium. Infection was thought to have originated from feed or water contaminated with larvae released from a molluscan intermediate host.