Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Characterization of a Sarcocystis neurona isolate from a Missouri horse with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary parasitology
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Marsh, A E et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at a specific strain of a parasite called Sarcocystis neurona, which can cause a serious neurological disease in horses known as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. The researchers focused on a 3-year-old Thoroughbred horse that showed uneven neurological symptoms and muscle wasting. They found that this particular strain, named SN-MU1, is similar to other strains at a genetic level but behaves differently in tests. The study also indicated that differences in the parasite can lead to varying responses in the horse's immune system, which could affect how tests for the parasite work. Overall, the findings help improve our understanding of how this parasite behaves and how it might be detected in horses.
Abstract
Little information is available about antigenic variation of Sarcocystis neurona isolated from horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, nor is there much information available on the specific antibody pattern to S. neurona antigens of horses from different geographic regions where S. neurona isolates have been obtained. This communication reports on the characterization of a new S. neurona isolate, SN-MU1. The isolate was obtained from a 3-year old Thoroughbred that had asymmetrical neurological signs and localized skeletal muscle atrophy. This S. neurona isolate is similar to other S. neurona isolates by molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) region and a random-amplified polymorphic DNA marker, but is phenotypically distinct from the other S. neurona isolates examined. Evaluation of the antibodies from the affected horse and immunohistochemical results suggested that antigenic variation of S. neurona can result in variable antibody-antigen reactivity observed in the S. neurona immunoblot test.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11223195/