Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
California serogroup virus infection in a horse with encephalitis.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Lynch, J A et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse was diagnosed with a serious brain infection called encephalitis, which caused symptoms like a mild fever, trouble walking straight (ataxia), a tilt of the head, and circling behavior. Tests showed that the horse had a significant immune response to a specific virus known as the snowshoe hare virus, which is usually linked to human illness but hasn't been known to cause problems in horses before. The horse was treated with antibiotics, a steroid, and vitamins, and thankfully, it made a full recovery. This case raises questions about whether horses might spread this virus in nature, suggesting that more research is needed.
Abstract
A 4-fold or greater seroconversion to the snowshoe hare serotype of the California serogroup of viruses in a horse with acute encephalitis was demonstrated by hemagglutination-inhibition, complement-fixation, and neutralization tests. The horse had a mild fever, was ataxic, had a head tilt, and was observed to circle. Chloramphenicol, dexamethasone, and B complex vitamins were administered and the horse recovered. The snowshoe hare virus is a recognized human pathogen, but it has not been associated with disease in horses. It is unknown whether horses play a role as amplification hosts for the snowshoe hare virus in nature, and further studies appear indicated.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3972700/