Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Main Drain virus as a cause of equine encephalomyelitis.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1983
- Authors:
- Emmons, R W et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A horse in Sacramento County, California, was found to be sick due to the Main Drain virus, which is usually spread by certain insects and affects rabbits and rodents. This horse showed several concerning symptoms, including trouble coordinating its movements, a stiff neck, pressing its head against objects, difficulty swallowing, a fever, and a fast heartbeat. The virus was repeatedly found in the horse's brain tissue, suggesting it was the cause of these serious issues. The outcome of the treatment for this horse is not mentioned in the study.
Abstract
Main Drain virus, which is thought to be transmitted normally among rabbits and various rodents by its natural vector, Culicoides variipennis, was isolated repeatedly from brain tissue of a sick horse from Sacramento County, California, and was implicated as the causative agent. Signs of illness were incoordination and ataxia, stiff neck, head pressing, inability to swallow, fever, and tachycardia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6413468/