Cerebrospinal nematodiasis of Equidae.

This research paper reviews six cases of equine cerebrospinal nematodiasis, diagnosed from 1958 to 1971, identifying two major clinical syndromes and implicating parasitic emboli from the Strongylus vulgaris parasite as the most common cause of this condition in horses in North America.

Detailed Explanation

Clinical Syndromes

• The research discusses two major clinical syndromes that resulted from equine cerebrospinal nematodiasis. These are chronic incoordination, where the horse suffers from prolonged lack of coordination, and an acute progressive fatal encephalitic disease, a rapidly progressing condition that causes inflammation of the brain and can result in death.

Gross Lesions

• In severe cases, the disease manifests as visible lesions or damage in the horse’s structure. These gross lesions were most commonly located in two regions of the horse’s brain: the centrum ovale and the cerebellar roof nuclear region. They present as serpentine tracks, or winding, snake-like grooves, that have hemorrhaged or bled.

Verminous Encephalitis, Endocardial or Proximal Aortic Lesions, and Strongylus vulgaris

• The researchers observed a consistent presence of endocardial or proximal aortic verminous lesions in horses with verminous encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain caused by parasites.
• These lesions are caused by the parasite Strongylus vulgaris, which can form parasitic emboli, or blockages in the bloodstream created by parasites. These blockages can cause further complications such as damage to the heart (endocardial lesions) or damage to the aorta, the main blood vessel leading from the heart.
• The researchers suggest that these parasitic emboli from S. vulgaris are likely the most common cause of equine cerebrospinal nematodiasis on the North American continent.