Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Encephalitozoon cuniculi placentitis and abortion in a quarterhorse mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
- Year:
- 2003
- Authors:
- Patterson-Kane, J C et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Science · United States
- 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 type of infection in the placenta caused by a tiny parasite called Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which is not commonly seen in animals. The examination also showed that the fetus had swollen joints, but the same parasite was not found in its tissues. This case highlights a rare instance of this parasite causing problems during pregnancy.
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: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12580298/