Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Mare had abortion due to E. cuniculi infection
By Patterson-Kane, J C et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2003·Department of Veterinary Science, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Encephalitozoon cuniculi placentitis and abortion in a quarterhorse mare.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A Quarterhorse mare experienced a late-term abortion, and both the fetus and placenta were examined for health issues. The tests revealed a rare infection caused by a parasite called Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which led to severe inflammation of the placenta. Although the fetus showed swollen joints and signs of inflammation, the parasite was not found in its tissues. This case highlights the potential for E. cuniculi to cause serious reproductive problems in horses.
People also search for: Quarterhorse abortion causes · mare placentitis symptoms · E. cuniculi in horses
Abstract
Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidial parasite, which has rarely been reported to cause placentitis in animals. A late-term aborted fetus and placenta from a Quarterhorse were presented to the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center, University of Kentucky, for diagnostic examination. There was a necrotizing placentitis, with distension of many chorionic epithelial cells by intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing 1-2-microm-diameter, elongated, gram-positive organisms. The organisms were identified as E. cuniculi by electron microscopy and by polymerase chain reaction using primers to microsporidial ribosomal DNA. Joints of the fetus were swollen, with gross and microscopic lesions of synovitis; however, E. cuniculi DNA was not detected.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12580298/