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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2000; 217(8); 1174-1180; doi: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1174

Analysis of risk factors for the development of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses.

Abstract: To investigate risk factors for development of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses. Methods: Case-control study. Methods: 251 horses admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 1992 to 1995. Methods: On the basis of clinical signs of neurologic disease and detection of antibody to Sarcocystis neurona or S neurona DNA in cerebrospinal fluid, a diagnosis of EPM was made for 251 horses. Two contemporaneous series of control horses were selected from horses admitted to the hospital. One control series (n = 225) consisted of horses with diseases of the neurologic system other than EPM (neurologic control horses), and the other consisted of 251 horses admitted for reasons other than nervous system diseases (nonneurologic control horses). Data were obtained from hospital records and telephone conversations. Risk factors associated with disease status were analyzed, using multivariable logistic regression. Results: Horses ranged from 1 day to 30 years old (mean +/- SD, 5.7 +/- 5.2 years). Risk factors associated with an increased risk of developing EPM included age, season of admission, prior diagnosis of EPM on the premises, opossums on premises, health events prior to admission, and racing or showing as a primary use. Factors associated with a reduced risk of developing EPM included protection of feed from wildlife and proximity of a creek or river to the premises where the horse resided. Conclusions: Development of EPM was associated with a number of management-related factors that can be altered to decrease the risk for the disease.
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Publication Date: 2000-10-24 PubMed ID: 11043688DOI: 10.2460/javma.2000.217.1174Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigated the factors that increase or decrease the risk of developing equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses, finding that age, season, previous cases, presence of opossums, pre-existing health issues, and competitive use are associated with a higher risk of EPM. Protective measures, such as safeguarding feed from wildlife or the proximity of a water source, can reduce the risk of disease.

Study Design and Sample

  • The research was a case-control study using records of 251 horses admitted to The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 1992 and 1995.
  • The diagnosis of EPM was based on clinical signs of neurologic disease and the detection of antibodies or DNA of Sarcocystis neurona in the cerebrospinal fluid of the horses.
  • The control group consisted of two series: 225 horses with neurological diseases other than EPM, and another 251 horses admitted for various reasons excluding nervous system diseases.

Analysis and Results

  • Through a multivariable logistic regression analysis, the research examined the factors related to the risk of EPM.
  • The age of the horses in the study ranged from 1 day to 30 years, with a mean age of approximately 5.7 years.
  • Risk factors showed to have a direct relation with the development of EPM included the horse’s age, season of admission, a prior diagnosis of EPM on premises, the presence of opossums on the premises, health events before hospital admission, and the use of the horse for racing or showing.
  • The factors identified with a reduced risk of developing EPM included protective behaviors such as shielding feed from wildlife and the proximity of a creek or river to the residence of the horse.

Conclusion

  • The study found that the development of EPM in horses is linked to multiple management-related factors.
  • By modifying these factors, it’s possible to decrease the risk of the disease, suggesting that better farm management can play a crucial role in preventing EPM.

Cite This Article

APA
Saville WJ, Reed SM, Morley PS, Granstrom DE, Kohn CW, Hinchcliff KW, Wittum TE. (2000). Analysis of risk factors for the development of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in horses. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217(8), 1174-1180. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2000.217.1174

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 217
Issue: 8
Pages: 1174-1180

Researcher Affiliations

Saville, W J
  • Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Reed, S M
    Morley, P S
      Granstrom, D E
        Kohn, C W
          Hinchcliff, K W
            Wittum, T E

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Case-Control Studies
              • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / etiology
              • Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / veterinary
              • Encephalomyelitis / etiology
              • Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / etiology
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Risk Factors
              • Sarcocystosis / etiology
              • Sarcocystosis / veterinary

              Citations

              This article has been cited 5 times.
              1. Witonsky S, Buechner-Maxwell V, Santonastasto A, Pleasant R, Werre S, Wagner B, Ellison S, Lindsay D. Can levamisole upregulate the equine cell-mediated macrophage (M1) dendritic cell (DC1) T-helper 1 (CD4 Th1) T-cytotoxic (CD8) immune response in vitro?. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):889-896.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.15404pubmed: 30693587google scholar: lookup
              2. Reed SM, Furr M, Howe DK, Johnson AL, MacKay RJ, Morrow JK, Pusterla N, Witonsky S. Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis: An Updated Consensus Statement with a Focus on Parasite Biology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):491-502.
                doi: 10.1111/jvim.13834pubmed: 26857902google scholar: lookup
              3. Lewis SR, Ellison SP, Dascanio JJ, Lindsay DS, Gogal RM Jr, Werre SR, Surendran N, Breen ME, Heid BM, Andrews FM, Buechner-Maxwell VA, Witonsky SG. Effects of Experimental Sarcocystis neurona-Induced Infection on Immunity in an Equine Model. J Vet Med 2014;2014:239495.
                doi: 10.1155/2014/239495pubmed: 26464923google scholar: lookup
              4. Rejmanek D, Miller MA, Grigg ME, Crosbie PR, Conrad PA. Molecular characterization of Sarcocystis neurona strains from opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and intermediate hosts from Central California. Vet Parasitol 2010 May 28;170(1-2):20-9.
                doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2009.12.045pubmed: 20226596google scholar: lookup
              5. Njoku CJ, Saville WJ, Reed SM, Oglesbee MJ, Rajala-Schultz PJ, Stich RW. Reduced levels of nitric oxide metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid are associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis. Clin Diagn Lab Immunol 2002 May;9(3):605-10.
                doi: 10.1128/cdli.9.3.605-610.2002pubmed: 11986267google scholar: lookup
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