Parasitic Worms Bury Themselves in the Brains of Moose and Elk – a New Test Can Help Diagnose These Animals to Prevent Disease Spread

Brain worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) is a parasitic nematode that infects white-tailed deer without symptoms but devastates moose, elk, and other ungulates. Once in the nervous system, it causes neurological disorders such as circling, paralysis, and disorientation, often leading to death. Detecting infection in live animals is difficult, since only deer shed larvae in feces, and diagnosis in moose or elk usually occurs after death by examining tissue or DNA fragments.

To complicate matters, similar parasites like the arterial worm (Elaeophora schneideri) produce nearly identical signs, making misdiagnosis likely. To address this, parasitologists, alongside the University of Tennessee, developed a serological blood test that identifies antibodies against P. tenuis. This test enables earlier detection in living animals and helps monitor populations nationwide. By tracking parasite spread, wildlife managers can implement measures such as deer population control or snail habitat reduction, ultimately protecting vulnerable moose and elk populations from further decline.