Characterization of experimentally induced equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) in ponies (Equus caballus): preliminary report.
Abstract: An isolate of Fusarium moniliforme (M-1225 Cairo #1) was cultured on autoclaved corn and fed daily to 5 ponies at a rate of 2.5 g corn/kg body wt. One pony developed clinical signs of toxicity after 28 days and was sacrificed. The remaining 4 ponies developed no clinical sign of toxicity even after extended exposure. Hematology, serum chemistry, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and liver and brain pathology were evaluated as possible diagnostic and prognostic indicators. Hematology was not informative. Aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were elevated only in the clinically positive pony. CSF was most informative. Elevated myelin basic protein levels (greater than 14 ng/ml; normal less than 2.0 ng/ml) and cytologic changes consistent with chronic inflammation were observed in the clinically positive pony. Chronic inflammation was also seen in one clinically normal pony. Cytoplasmic vacuolation and clumping were observed in the hepatocytes of all ponies. Brain pathology was consistent with ELEM in the clinically positive pony.
Publication Date: 1987-02-01 PubMed ID: 3824873
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research article studies the effects of Fusarium moniliforme, a type of fungi, on ponies (Equus caballus) to understand equine leukoencephalomalacia or ELEM, a disease characterized by severe brain damage and inflammation. The researchers noted symptoms and abnormal changes in several diagnostic indicators in ponies fed with the fungi-infected corn.
Methods
- The researchers cultured an isolate of Fusarium moniliforme on autoclaved corn and fed it to 5 ponies at the rate of 2.5 g of corn per kg body weight daily.
- Observations were made periodically to see if the ponies developed any clinical signs of toxicity.
- The diagnostic and prognostic indicators evaluated included hematology, serum chemistry, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pathology of the liver and brain.
Results
- One pony developed clinical signs of toxicity after 28 days of exposure to the fungus-infected corn and had to be sacrificed.
- The other four ponies did not show any clinical toxicity, even after extended exposure.
- Hematology was deemed uninformative as it did not provide any relevant insights.
- Elevation in aspartate aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activities were only observed in the clinically positive pony.
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was found to be the most informative indicator. The affected pony showed an increase in myelin basic protein levels, exceeding the normal threshold, as well as cytologic changes that indicated chronic inflammation. There was a similar sign of chronic inflammation observed in one clinically normal pony.
- The researchers identified cytoplasmic vacuolation and clumping in the hepatocytes (the cells of the liver) in all the ponies.
- Brain pathology of the clinically positive pony confirmed the presence of Equine Leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM).
Conclusion
The research successfully induced ELEM in ponies through daily ingestion of Fusarium moniliforme infected corn and managed to identify several diagnostic markers that may be valuable in detecting and monitoring the progress of ELEM. This study further enriches the body of knowledge of equine leukoencephalomalacia and its manifestation.
Cite This Article
APA
Brownie CF, Cullen J.
(1987).
Characterization of experimentally induced equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) in ponies (Equus caballus): preliminary report.
Vet Hum Toxicol, 29(1), 34-38.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain / pathology
- Encephalomalacia / cerebrospinal fluid
- Encephalomalacia / pathology
- Encephalomalacia / physiopathology
- Encephalomalacia / veterinary
- Fusarium
- Horse Diseases / cerebrospinal fluid
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Inflammation / cerebrospinal fluid
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Liver / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Durham AE. Association between forage mycotoxins and liver disease in horses.. J Vet Intern Med 2022 Jul;36(4):1502-1507.
- Reisinger N, Dohnal I, Nagl V, Schaumberger S, Schatzmayr G, Mayer E. Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) Induces Lamellar Separation and Alters Sphingolipid Metabolism of In Vitro Cultured Hoof Explants.. Toxins (Basel) 2016 Mar 24;8(4):89.
- Voss KA, Plattner RD, Bacon CW, Norred WP. Comparative studies of hepatotoxicity and fumonisin B1 and B2 content of water and chloroform/methanol extracts of Fusarium moniliforme strain MRC 826 culture material.. Mycopathologia 1990 Nov;112(2):81-92.
- Ross PF, Rice LG, Plattner RD, Osweiler GD, Wilson TM, Owens DL, Nelson HA, Richard JL. Concentrations of fumonisin B1 in feeds associated with animal health problems.. Mycopathologia 1991 Jun;114(3):129-35.
- Voss KA, Norred WP, Bacon CW. Subchronic toxicological investigations of Fusarium moniliforme-contaminated corn, culture material, and ammoniated culture material.. Mycopathologia 1992 Feb;117(1-2):97-104.
- Leslie JF, Doe FJ, Plattner RD, Shackelford DD, Jonz J. Fumonisin B1 production and vegetative compatibility of strains from Gibberella fujikuroi mating population 'A' (Fusarium moniliforme).. Mycopathologia 1992 Feb;117(1-2):37-45.
- Park DL, Rua SM Jr, Mirocha CJ, Abd-Alla ES, Weng CY. Mutagenic potentials of fumonisin contaminated corn following ammonia decontamination procedure.. Mycopathologia 1992 Feb;117(1-2):105-8.
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