Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Encephalitozoon infection in a still-born foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the South African Veterinary Association
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- van Rensburg, I B et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Pathology
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A Clydesdale foal was born still, just before it was due. When the veterinarians looked at the foal and its placenta, everything seemed normal except for some issues with the lungs and faint white spots on the kidneys. Under a microscope, they found severe inflammation in the kidneys and many tiny organisms that looked like Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a type of parasite. These organisms were found in the inflamed areas of the kidneys and inside the kidney cells, but they were not seen in any other organs. Unfortunately, this case indicates that the infection likely contributed to the foal's stillbirth.
Abstract
A stud Clydesdale foal was still-born near full term. Macroscopic examination revealed a normal placenta, pulmonary atelectasis and faint white mottling of the kidneys. Microscopically there was severe lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis. Numerous organisms resembling Encephalitozoon cuniculi were present in the affected kidneys. The organisms occurred in the areas of inflammation as well as in the renal glomeruli and intracellular cysts in the renal tubular epithelial cells and exhibited Gram positive staining. Ultrastructurally the organisms possessed a polar vacuole and a spiral filament typical of Microsporidia. The organisms were not detected in sections of the other organs examined.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1770483/