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1 October 2002 Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in Captive Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) in Nebraska
Heather A. Simmons, David J. Steffen, Douglas L. Armstrong, Douglas G. Rogers
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Abstract

Lesions in four captive pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) naturally infected with Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in eastern Nebraska (USA) are described in this report. Animals were bright and alert with hind limb ataxia that progressed to sternal or lateral recumbency between July 28 and October 17, 1998. Animals were euthanized due to disease progression despite therapy. Multifocal decubital ulcers over bony prominences occurred in two animals and chronic unilateral otitis media was present in one animal. Histopathologic examination revealed severe Wallerian degeneration randomly scattered throughout the spinal cords of all four animals. Spinal cord sections from two animals contained adult nematode parasites consistent with P. tenuis. This is the first report of naturally occurring P. tenuis infection in pronghorn antelope. Pronghorn antelope should be considered susceptible to P. tenuis infection and contact with infected white-tailed deer as well as intermediate gastropod hosts of P. tenuis should be prevented in endemic areas.

Simmons, Steffen, Armstrong, and Rogers: Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in Captive Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) in Nebraska
Heather A. Simmons, David J. Steffen, Douglas L. Armstrong, and Douglas G. Rogers "Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in Captive Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) in Nebraska," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 38(4), 822-825, (1 October 2002). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-38.4.822
Received: 30 December 2001; Published: 1 October 2002
KEYWORDS
Antilocapra americana
gastropod
meningeal worm
Odocoileus virginianus
Parelaphostrongylus tenuis
pronghorn antelope
white-tailed deer
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