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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
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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
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2020. Published by Cambridge University Press

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