Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Characterization of Sarcocystis neurona from a thoroughbred with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
- Journal:
- The Cornell veterinarian
- Year:
- 1992
- Authors:
- Bowman, D D et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Microbiology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This study looked at a specific parasite called Sarcocystis neurona, which causes a serious condition in horses known as equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. The researchers described a thoroughbred horse that had this parasite, detailing how they used certain methods to weaken the horse's immune system to help grow more of the parasite for study. They observed the parasite under powerful microscopes and noted that the high number of parasites found in this horse was likely because it hadn't been treated with a certain medication before and had received a lot of corticosteroids to help with the research. Overall, the findings provide important insights into the behavior of this parasite in horses.
Abstract
Morphological information is presented for syntype material of the etiologic agent of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, Sarcocystis neurona. A clinical description of the horse from which the organism was isolated and the methodology used to immunosuppress the horse in an attempt to increase parasite numbers are also given. The description includes microscopic details observed both with light and transmission electron microscopy. Mainly stages from tissue are illustrated, but information is also presented on the development of the organism after inoculation onto monolayers of bovine monocytes. It is believed that the large numbers of organisms observed in this horse were due to its having not received prior treatment with trimethoprimsulphonamide and the large amounts of corticosteroids that were administered in order to facilitate isolation of the pathogen.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1740059/