Angiostrongylus cantonensis in a Red Ruffed Lemur at a Zoo, Louisiana, USA

Abstract

A red ruffed lemur (Varecia rubra) from a zoo in Louisiana, USA, was euthanized for worsening paresis. Brain and spinal cord histology identified eosinophilic meningoencephalomyelitis with intralesional adult Angiostrongylus sp. nematodes. PCR and sequencing confirmed A. cantonensis infection, indicating this parasite constitutes an emerging zoonosis in the southeastern United States.

Keywords

• Angiostrongylus
• Angiostrongylus cantonensis
• parasites
• zoonoses
• lemur
• nematode