The first report of Elaphostrongylus cervi infection in two imported wapitis (Cervus canadensis) in Slovenia

Bandelj, Petra (author), Juntes, Polona (author), Vengušt, Gorazd (author), Žele-Vengušt, Diana (author)

This study describes two female wapitis (Cervus canadensis) with neurological signs associated with an Elaphostrongylus cervi (E. cervi) infection. The original host of the nematode parasite is the Eurasian red deer (Cervus elaphus), although other cervids and small ruminants may also be affected. The two wapitis imported from Canada were kept in an enclosure with the Slovenian red deer herd. After developing debilitating neurological signs, the wapitis were euthanized and examined for possible causes. A histopathological examination of the brain of the first wapiti revealed severe diffuse perivascular meningoencephalitis with chronic vasculitis, and some cross-sections of nematodes were found in the leptomeninges. A necropsy of the second wapiti revealed severe pachymeningitis and leptomeningitis, where several adult nematode parasites were found. E. cervi was confirmed by molecular methods. The prevalence of E. cervi in the European red deer population is high, but no study has been conducted to assess its prevalence in Slovenia. This was the first confirmation of E. cervi in Slovenia and the first infection with this parasite described in Europe in a wapiti. Elaphostrongylus cervi should also be considered as a differential diagnosis in Europe for all ruminants grazing on pastures frequented by red deer and showing neurological clinical signs.

• Language: English
• Keywords: Elaphostrongylus cervi, tissue worm, wapiti, neurological disorders, PCR, infections, tissues, deer
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2022
• Number of pages: 11 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 9, iss. 1, art. 19
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-136746
• UDC: 636.09:616
• ISSN on article: 2306-7381
• DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9010019
• COBISS.SI-ID: 92668675
• Publication date in RUL: 19.05.2022

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Veterinary sciences
• Shortened title: Vet. sci.
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 2306-7381
• COBISS.SI-ID: 523429657

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.
• Licensing start date: 06.01.2022

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0092
• Name: Zdravje živali, okolje in varna hrana