A case of Murray Valley encephalitis in a 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse in south-east Queensland.
Abstract: This report summarises the findings from a case of naturally-occurring Murray Valley encephalitis in a 2-year-old filly presenting with acute onset of depression and weakness. Serum samples tested at the onset of clinical signs were negative for Hendra and Kunjin virus antibodies, but positive for Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) using IgM-capture ELISA (1 : 300 dilution). A virus neutralisation assay performed 4 weeks later confirmed a titre of 1 : 160. Sera collected in the weeks preceding neurological signs returned a negative titre for MVEV 2 weeks prior followed by a titre of 1:80 in the week prior to illness. Serological surveillance conducted on 67 co-located horses returned a positive titre of 1 : 20 in one in-contact horse. There was no history of clinical disease in that horse. At 3 months after the onset of clinical signs in the index case, the filly continued to show mild facial paresis and hypermetria; the owners elected euthanasia and gave permission for necropsy. Histopathological analysis of the brain showed a mild meningoencephalitis. Conclusions: The progression of a naturally-occurring MVEV infection in a horse has been documented in this case.
© 2015 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2015-02-25 PubMed ID: 25708787DOI: 10.1111/avj.12294Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research paper presents a case study of a 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse that showed symptoms and subsequently tested positive for Murray Valley encephalitis, a disease caused by the Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV). Extensive tests and postmortem analyses documented the progression and effects of the MVEV infection in the horse.
Case Summary
- The study focuses on a 2-year-old filly, or young female horse, that suddenly exhibited signs of depression and weakness.
- At the beginning of these symptoms, blood samples were collected and tested. The horse was tested for multiple viruses, including Hendra and Kunjin virus, that could have caused the symptoms. However, the tests came out negative for these viruses, but positive for MVEV using IgM-capture ELISA at a 1 : 300 dilution.
Follow-up Tests and Results
- A follow-up virus neutralisation test was carried out 4 weeks later. The test yielded a titre (a measure of the concentration of the virus in the body) of 1 : 160, confirming MVEV infection in the horse.
- Tests on blood samples taken in the weeks before the onset of neurological symptoms showed a negative titre for MVEV 2 weeks prior, but a titre of 1:80 in the week before the horse fell ill.
- Out of 67 horses located in the same area, one also showed a positive titre of 1 : 20 for MVEV, although this horse did not exhibit any signs of being unwell.
Post-Illness Observations and End Result
- Even after 3 months from the first appearance of symptoms, the horse continued to exhibit mild facial paralysis (paresis) and a condition called hypermetria, which is characterised by abnormal movements. Due to the sustained symptoms, the owners of the horse decided to euthanise the animal.
- Postmortem examinations of the horse’s brain revealed mild meningoencephalitis, inflammation of both the brain and the meninges (the protective coverings of the brain).
Conclusion of Research
- The study provides a detailed account of a naturally-occurring MVEV infection in a horse. By documenting the progression of symptoms, test results, and postmortem findings, the report offers valuable insights into understanding and managing MVEV in the equine population.
Cite This Article
APA
Barton AJ, Prow NA, Hall RA, Kidd L, Bielefeldt-Ohmann H.
(2015).
A case of Murray Valley encephalitis in a 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse in south-east Queensland.
Aust Vet J, 93(3), 53-57.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12294 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia. a.scampton@uq.edu.au.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain / pathology
- Cerebellar Ataxia / veterinary
- Cerebellar Ataxia / virology
- Encephalitis Virus, Murray Valley
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / pathology
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / veterinary
- Encephalitis, Arbovirus / virology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
- Facial Paralysis / veterinary
- Facial Paralysis / virology
- Fatal Outcome
- Female
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / virology
- Horses / virology
- Queensland
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