Abstract

Topic: Physiology, diseases and genetics

Serological testing of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in moose (Alces alces) from the United States

Richard Gerhold¹, Jessie Richard², Stephen Kania³, Julie Ellis⁴, Krysten Schuler⁵

University of Tennessee , 1020 Bays Mountain Rd, Knoxville TN 37920, US
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, 37920
University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN 37996, USA
Northeast Wildlife Disease Cooperative, University of Pennsylvania, New Bolton, Pennsylvania, USA
Cornell Wildlife Health Lab, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Abstract
Parelaphostrongylus tenuis (meningeal worm or brain worm) is a parasitic nematode found in various cervid species including deer, elk (Cervus canadensis), and moose (Alces alces). In cervids other than the parasite’s definitive host, white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), the parasite can migrate extensively in the central nervous system leading to ataxia or other neurological deficiencies and death. Techniques currently available for a definitive diagnosis of the parasite involve a necropsy to detect the worm in the brain and spinal cord via histological exam and/or PCR. Unfortunately, this testing is expensive, time consuming and has low sensitivity due to inability to often detect the parasite. Our research group has successfully developed a serological assay to detect antibodies to P. tenuis in cervids by utilizing the nematode’s transcriptome and identification of a novel P. tenuis-specific peptide. To date, we have tested 1,716 moose sera samples and 200 (11.7%) samples were seropositive. Samples originated from six states within the United States. Our results demonstrated P. tenuis infection in moose in the eastern, midwestern, and select western regions of the continental US. These results indicated that P. tenuis geographical distribution may be moving westward in North America and warrants further surveillance and investigation on the population impacts of P. tenuis in moose