Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Foal with ataxia and seizures due to brain infection
By Bryant, Uneeda K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2006·College of Agriculture, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Halicephalobus gingivalis-associated meningoencephalitis in a Thoroughbred foal.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 13-week-old Thoroughbred colt suddenly developed severe symptoms including trouble walking (ataxia), blindness, head tremors, leaning to one side, and seizures. Unfortunately, the colt was euthanized due to the rapid progression of these symptoms. A post-mortem examination revealed that the cause was a brain infection linked to a type of roundworm called Halicephalobus gingivalis, which had caused significant inflammation in the brain. This case highlights the importance of recognizing unusual neurological symptoms in young horses, as they can indicate serious underlying issues.
People also search for: Thoroughbred foal seizures · horse ataxia causes · Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in horses
Abstract
A 13-week-old Thoroughbred colt from central Kentucky was euthanized after an acute onset of ataxia, blindness, head tremors, leaning to the right, recumbency, and seizures. Microscopically, there was a verminous meningoencephalitis characterized by an eosinophilic and granulomatous inflammatory reaction primarily affecting the cerebellum. Dispersed within regions of inflammation were numerous cross and longitudinal sections of intact and degenerative small nematodes. The nematodes had dorsoflexed ovaries and ventroflexed vulvas, which are distinguishing features of Halicephalobus gingivalis. Intact nematodes, compatible with H. gingivalis, also were recovered and identified from portions of the brain that had been frozen for 5-week post-necropsy examination via tissue maceration and additional laboratory techniques.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17121095/