Paragonimiasis

Paragonimus westermani and P kellicotti, the lung flukes, have been reported to migrate aberrantly and produce cysts in the brain and spinal cord of pigs, dogs, cats, rats, and humans. Flukes in these extrapulmonic sites in dead-end hosts do not produce patent infections.

Schistosomiasis

Schistosomes, or blood flukes, normally deposit their eggs in the small vessels of the gut and urinary bladder, from which they pass into the external environment via the feces or urine. Some eggs, however, may get into the general circulation and may reach the CNS where they become encapsulated. This condition has been noted in humans and domestic animals.

Troglotremiasis

Troglotrema acutum inhabits the frontal and ethmoidal sinuses of foxes and mustelids in Europe. Flukes live in pairs in cysts in these sinuses. These parasites cause decalcification and atrophy of the bony walls of the sinuses and eventually result in perforation into the cranial cavity. Microorganisms enter the cranial vault, leading to fatal, purulent meningitis. No treatment is available.

Last full review/revision July 2011 by Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD