Steen M, Rehbinder C
Acta Vet Scand. 1986;27(3):326-42. doi: 10.1186/BF03548147.
During the first 5 months of 1985, 35 moose were obtained for necropsy at the National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden. 17 (49 %) of these cases were found to be infected with Elaphostrongylus sp. The nematodes were found in the epidural space of the spinal cord and brain, around and in the sciatic nerves and in muscle fasciae. Predilection sites appeared to be near cauda equina and the fasciae of the thoracic, gracilis and sartorius muscles. Most of the infected animals were calves. Both sexes were equally represented. Pathological changes found were characterized by focal haemorrhages and oedema. The changes were present in the muscle fasciae and in the leptomeninges of the brain and spinal cord. Beside infiltrates of mainly lymphocytes and plasma cells, adult nematodes, larvae and eggs were observed. Cases with mild gliosis in the cerebrum and degenerative changes of peripheral nerve roots affecting the epi- and perineurium were also found. In one case the inflammatory changes reached the endoneurium of a sciatic nerve bundle and in another case into a ganglion. Inflammatory reactions against the parasite were mainly directed towards eggs. In loose connective tissue close to nerve tissue in the central nervous system larvae were found close to eggs and remains of eggs indicating that eggs may hatch at this site. This investigation shows that natural infections with Elaphostrongylus sp. occur in wild moose and may produce pathological changes in large peripheral nerves and in the central nervous system.
1985年的前5个月期间，35头驼鹿被送到瑞典乌普萨拉国家兽医研究所进行尸检。其中17例（49%）被发现感染了艾氏圆线虫属。线虫见于脊髓和脑的硬膜外腔、坐骨神经周围及内部以及肌筋膜。偏好部位似乎在马尾附近以及胸肌、股薄肌和缝匠肌的筋膜处。大多数受感染动物为幼崽。雌雄比例相同。发现的病理变化特征为局灶性出血和水肿。这些变化存在于肌筋膜以及脑和脊髓的软脑膜中。除了主要为淋巴细胞和浆细胞的浸润外，还观察到成虫、幼虫和虫卵。还发现了大脑轻度胶质细胞增生以及影响神经外膜和神经束膜的外周神经根退行性变化的病例。在1例中，炎症变化累及坐骨神经束的神经内膜，在另1例中累及神经节。针对该寄生虫的炎症反应主要针对虫卵。在中枢神经系统中靠近神经组织的疏松结缔组织中，发现幼虫靠近虫卵和虫卵残余物，这表明虫卵可能在此处孵化。这项研究表明，野生驼鹿中存在艾氏圆线虫属的自然感染，并且可能在大型外周神经和中枢神经系统中产生病理变化。
