RESUMO
There are reports of horses with acute onset acquired cervical scoliosis and cutaneous analgesia. The underlying dorsal gray column myelitis that produces these neurologic signs has been only presumptively attributed to migration of Parelaphostrongylus tenuis within the spinal cord. Despite previous confirmation brain by polymerase chain reaction testing, of P. tenuis within the brain of horses by polymerase chain reaction testing, genetic testing has failed to definitively identify the presence of this parasite in cases of equine myelitis. This case report provides molecular confirmation via polymerase chain reaction of P. tenuis within the cervical spinal cord of a horse with scoliosis and cutaneous analgesia.
Assuntos
Infecções do Sistema Nervoso Central/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/parasitologia , Meningite/veterinária , Metastrongyloidea , Mielite/veterinária , Escoliose/veterinária , Infecções por Strongylida/veterinária , Animais , Infecções do Sistema Nervoso Central/complicações , Infecções do Sistema Nervoso Central/diagnóstico , Infecções do Sistema Nervoso Central/parasitologia , Feminino , Doenças dos Cavalos/diagnóstico , Cavalos , Meningite/diagnóstico , Meningite/parasitologia , Mielite/diagnóstico , Mielite/parasitologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase/veterinária , Escoliose/etiologia , Escoliose/parasitologia , Infecções por Strongylida/complicações , Infecções por Strongylida/parasitologiaRESUMO
An 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding was presented for evaluation of anorexia, obtundation, icterus, and mild colic signs of 48 hours duration. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostics were suggestive of hepatic disease and encephalopathy. Microcystin toxicosis was suspected based on historical administration of a cyanobacteria supplement, associated serum biochemistry abnormalities, and characteristic histopathological changes. Microcystin contamination was confirmed in both supplement containers fed to the horse. Fulminant hepatic failure and encephalopathy progressed resulting in euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with microcystin induced liver failure.
Assuntos
Encefalopatias/veterinária , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/veterinária , Doenças dos Cavalos/induzido quimicamente , Microcistinas/toxicidade , Animais , Encefalopatias/induzido quimicamente , Doença Hepática Induzida por Substâncias e Drogas/patologia , Cavalos , MasculinoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Equine neuroborreliosis (NB), Lyme disease, is difficult to diagnose and has limited description in the literature. OBJECTIVE: Provide a detailed description of clinical signs, diagnostic, and pathologic findings of horses with NB. ANIMALS: Sixteen horses with histologically confirmed NB. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records at the University of Pennsylvania and via an ACVIM listserv query with inclusion criteria requiring possible exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi and histologic findings consistent with previous reports of NB without evidence of other disease. RESULTS: Sixteen horses were identified, 12 of which had additional evidence of NB. Clinical signs were variable including muscle atrophy or weight loss (12), cranial nerve deficits (11), ataxia (10), changes in behavior (9), dysphagia (7), fasciculations (6), neck stiffness (6), episodic respiratory distress (5), uveitis (5), fever (2), joint effusion (2), and cardiac arrhythmias (1). Serologic analysis was positive for B. burgdorferi infection in 6/13 cases tested. CSF abnormalities were present in 8/13 cases tested, including xanthochromia (4/13), increased total protein (5/13; median: 91 mg/dL, range: 25-219 mg/dL), and a neutrophilic (6/13) or lymphocytic (2/13) pleocytosis (median: 25 nucleated cells/µL, range: 0-922 nucleated cells/µL). PCR on CSF for B. burgdorferi was negative in the 7 cases that were tested. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Diagnosis of equine NB is challenging due to variable clinical presentation and lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tests. Negative serology and normal CSF analysis do not exclude the diagnosis of NB.