Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Neospora caninum-associated equine protozoal myeloencephalitis.
- Journal:
- Veterinary parasitology
- Year:
- 1998
- Authors:
- Hamir, A N et al.
- Affiliation:
- College of Veterinary Medicine · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old horse was diagnosed with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), a serious condition that affects the brain and spinal cord, after showing severe unsteadiness. Tests of the horse's spinal fluid showed the presence of antibodies related to a protozoan parasite. After the horse passed away, further examination revealed that the protozoa causing the issues were actually Neospora caninum, not the previously suspected Sarcocystis neurona. This case highlights that veterinarians should be aware that Neospora caninum may be responsible for EPM-related symptoms. The outcome of the treatment is not specified, but the findings suggest a need for awareness of this particular parasite.
Abstract
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) was clinically diagnosed in a 20-year-old horse with severe ataxia. The cerebrospinal fluid was positive for Sarcocystis neurona antibodies by western blot. The horse was administered corticosteroids to facilitate in vitro culture of S. neurona from its spinal cord following necropsy. Microscopic lesions of EPM were present in the brain and in the spinal cord, including multifocal inflammatory cellular infiltrates and several large groups of protozoa. Immunohistochemical, and light and electron microscopic examinations revealed that the protozoa were Neospora caninum and not S. neurona. The protozoa divided by endodyogeny, tachyzoites had rhoptries, and organisms reacted specifically to N. caninum antibodies. Veterinarians should be aware of increasing diagnosis of N. caninum as another etiological agent responsible for the lesions of EPM.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9831950/