Cerebrospinal angiostrongyliasis in five captive tamarins (Sanguinus spp)

Abstract

Four cotton-top tamarins (Sanguinus oedipus oedipus) and one emperor tamarin (S imperator subgrisescens) housed in a zoo became depressed, anorexic, paraparetic and eventually paralysed. The animals died within 5 days to 18 months of the appearance of clinical signs. Histological examination showed nonsuppurative and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis, and metastrongyle nematode larvae were found within subarachnoid spaces of all animals and within the spinal cord of one. Intact larvae with features consistent with Angiostrongylus cantonensis were recovered from the brain of one animal. This parasite is the classical cause of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in many parts of the world and the diagnosis can be strongly suspected on clinical grounds. In endemic areas like south-east Queensland, protection of captive animals against infection with A cantonensis is a difficult balance between providing a stimulating, natural setting and eliminating potentially infectious definitive, intermediate and paratenic hosts. This is the first report of cerebrospinal angiostrongyliasis in tamarins and nonhuman primates in Australia.