Characterization of experimentally induced equine leukoencephalomalacia (ELEM) in ponies (Equus caballus): preliminary report.

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.