Elaphostrongylus rangiferi

Handeland, Kjell, Tunheim, Ketil, Madslien, Knut, Vikøren, Turid, Viljugrein, Hildegunn, Mossing, Anders, Børve, Ivar, Strand, Olav & Hamnes, Inger Sofie, 2021, High winter loads of Oestrid larvae and Elaphostrongylus rangiferi are associated with emaciation in wild reindeer calves, International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife 15, pp. 214-224 : 216

2.3.2. Elaphostrongylus rangiferi

The studies of E. rangiferi included (a) microscopic examination for L 1 larvae in the faeces of all calves collected, (b) macroscopical examination for adult nematodes in the CNS and skeletal muscles of the calves collected in spring, and (c) histological examination for the presence of E. rangiferi eggs in the lung tissue of the calves collected in spring.

The number of L 1 larvae per gram (LPG) faeces was estimated, following a slightly modified Baermann technique (see Handeland et al., 2019). The larvae were confirmed as E. rangiferi by the presence of a dorsal spine on the tail and typical body length (Lancester and Northcott, 1979). Body length was measured for ten larvae per animal. The macroscopic examination for adult E. rangiferi in the CNS was carried out after exposing the brain case and brain meninges, the vertebral canal and spinal cord meninges. Examination for adult nematodes in the skeletal muscles was performed after exposing the fascial muscle surfaces. Histological examination for the presence of E. rangiferi eggs in the lungs was performed following standard procedures. Five lung tissue blocks per animal were fixed in a 10% buffered formalin, embedded in paraffin, sliced, and stained with haematoxylin and eosin.