Chronic fatigue syndrome in horses: diagnosis and treatment of 4 cases.

The research paper discusses a study on horses diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and their response to the drug sodium thiacetarsamide. The drug showed positive results, eliminating symptoms and causing no adverse side effects.

CFS in Horses – An Emerging Veterinary Problem

• The paper begins by highlighting a report from England that suggests Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), commonly diagnosed in humans, also exists in horses.
• The authors consider this an emerging veterinary problem that needs more investigation.
• Preliminary epidemiological studies were conducted, leading to the belief that CFS in horses might have zoonotic implications. This means the disease could potentially be transmitted from animals to humans.

Method and Results of Treatment

• The researchers selected four horses that were diagnosed with CFS and had previously been unsuccessfully treated with various medications.
• These horses were administered an arsenical drug, sodium thiacetarsamide, via intravenous injection at a low dosage of 0.1 mg/kg/day.
• The treatment resulted in complete remission of CFS-like lethargy and other accompanying symptoms in the horses. Notably, there were no observed adverse side effects from the drug.
• The successful treatment was also associated with recovery from anemia and a decrease in muscular enzyme values in two out of the four horses.

Observations and Considerations

• Before the treatment, micrococci-like bacteria were found adhering to the outer surface of many red blood cells in all patients. Post-treatment, these bacteria had disappeared.
• Finally, the paper explores considerations on the action of sodium thiacetarsamide as a potential treatment for CFS, given its effectiveness in these cases.
• The researchers point out that these findings are preliminary and that further research is necessary to confirm sodium thiacetarsamide’s potential as a CFS treatment.