CEREBRAL LARVA MIGRANS CAUSED BY BAYLISASCARIS SP IN PET RABBITS

Cerebral larva migrans was diagnosed histologically in 4 pet rabbits that developed progressive neurologic disease. Larvae of Baylisascaris sp were isolated from brain tissues in 2 rabbits. The clinical syndrome of progressive torticollis and ataxia manifested by these rabbits is commonly associated with otitis and labyrinthitis attributable to bacterial infection; however, the middle ears were normal on radiographic and postmortem examinations. The severe encephalopathy that developed in these rabbits was indicative that just a few Baylisascaris larvae may cause extensive brain injury. During the summer, all of the affected rabbits were maintained outdoors in suburban areas, where raccoons, the final host of B procyonis, are commonly observed. Raccoon feces containing B procyonis eggs constitute a health risk for rabbits, as well as for human beings.