Diagnosis of eastern equine encephalomyelitis by immunofluorescent staining of brain tissue.
Abstract: Brain tissues were obtained from 5 horses with clinical encephalomyelitis during an epizootic in southwestern Michigan in August-September 1980. These tissues were tested for virus by intracerebral inoculation of suckling mice and by examination of frozen sections and impression smears by the indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) technique. Eastern equine encephalomyelitis virus was isolated and detected by FA technique in brains of 3 horses which died or were euthanatized within approximately 24 hours of onset of the disease but not from 2 horses at 2 and 3 days after onset. The latter 2 animals had serum-neutralizing antibodies at the time of death. Seven areas of the brain of 1 horse were tested. The proportion of fluorescing cells in frozen sections correlated with infectivity titers. Impression smears were negative. Viral titers ranged from 10(5.7) to 10(10.0) suckling mouse intracerebral median lethal doses/g; highest titers and most intense fluorescence were present in the thalamus and pons, emphasizing the need to obtain selective samples of central brain structures for diagnostic examination. The FA technique appears useful for the rapid diagnosis of fatal eastern equine encephalomyelitis and may be applicable in laboratories not equipped for isolation of viruses.
Publication Date: 1981-08-01 PubMed ID: 7027847
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper investigates the use of a fluorescence-based detection technique to diagnose Eastern equine encephalomyelitis in horses, a usually fatal disease characterized by brain inflammation.
Research Context
- The study was conducted during an outbreak of encephalomyelitis in horses in southwestern Michigan in 1980.
- This disease, Eastern equine encephalomyelitis, affects horses and is potentially fatal. It primarily causes inflammation of the brain.
Methodology
- The researchers studied brain tissue samples collected from five horses exhibiting clinical signs of the disease.
- These samples were tested for the presence of the virus in two main ways: inoculation into young mice, and examination using an fluorescence-based antibody technique referred to as the indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) technique.
- Virus isolation and FA technique were performed on the brains of the three horses who had died or were euthanized shortly after the onset of the disease.
- The other two horses, whose samples were taken two and three days post-symptom onset, had developed disease-neutralizing antibodies by the time of their death, implying that the body’s immunity was at work trying to fight the disease.
Explored Brain Areas and Findings
- Seven areas of one horse’s brain were tested in the study.
- Interestingly, the quantity of fluorescent cells (which implied the presence of the disease) correlated with infectivity levels.
- The thalamus and pons brain regions showed the highest disease titers and the most intense fluorescence – indicating that these are the primary regions for sampling when diagnosing this disease.
Significance and Applications of the FA Technique
- According to the researchers, the FA technique appears promising for the quick diagnosis of fatal Eastern equine encephalomyelitis.
- This method may be particularly useful in labs that may not be equipped for traditional virus isolation techniques.
Cite This Article
APA
Monath TP, McLean RG, Cropp CB, Parham GL, Lazuick JS, Calisher CH.
(1981).
Diagnosis of eastern equine encephalomyelitis by immunofluorescent staining of brain tissue.
Am J Vet Res, 42(8), 1418-1421.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral / analysis
- Antigens, Viral / analysis
- Brain / immunology
- Encephalitis Virus, Eastern Equine / immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / diagnosis
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / immunology
- Encephalomyelitis, Equine / veterinary
- Fluorescent Antibody Technique
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Stobierski MG, Signs K, Dinh E, Cooley TM, Melotti J, Schalow M, Patterson JS, Bolin SR, Walker ED. Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis in Michigan: Historical Review of Equine, Human, and Wildlife Involvement, Epidemiology, Vector Associations, and Factors Contributing to Endemicity. J Med Entomol 2022 Jan 12;59(1):27-40.
- Ronca SE, Smith J, Koma T, Miller MM, Yun N, Dineley KT, Paessler S. Mouse Model of Neurological Complications Resulting from Encephalitic Alphavirus Infection. Front Microbiol 2017;8:188.
- Keane DP, Little PB. Equine viral encephalomyelitis in Canada: a review of known and potential causes. Can Vet J 1987 Aug;28(8):497-504.
- Calisher CH. Medically important arboviruses of the United States and Canada. Clin Microbiol Rev 1994 Jan;7(1):89-116.
- Keane DP, Little PB, Wilkie BN, Artsob H, Thorsen J. Agents of equine viral encephalomyelitis: correlation of serum and cerebrospinal fluid antibodies. Can J Vet Res 1988 Apr;52(2):229-35.
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