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Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2003; 15(1); 57-59; doi: 10.1177/104063870301500113

Encephalitozoon cuniculi placentitis and abortion in a quarterhorse mare.

Abstract: Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidial parasite, which has rarely been reported to cause placentitis in animals. A late-term aborted fetus and placenta from a Quarterhorse were presented to the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center, University of Kentucky, for diagnostic examination. There was a necrotizing placentitis, with distension of many chorionic epithelial cells by intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing 1-2-microm-diameter, elongated, gram-positive organisms. The organisms were identified as E. cuniculi by electron microscopy and by polymerase chain reaction using primers to microsporidial ribosomal DNA. Joints of the fetus were swollen, with gross and microscopic lesions of synovitis; however, E. cuniculi DNA was not detected.
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Publication Date: 2003-02-13 PubMed ID: 12580298DOI: 10.1177/104063870301500113Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research paper discusses a case of a Quarterhorse experiencing an abortion due to an infection with the parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which resulted in inflammation of the placenta. Although this parasite seldom causes such condition in animals, it was identified in this case through electron microscopy and polymerase chain reaction tests.

Study Context

  • The study revolves around an incident involving a Quarterhorse that experienced a late-term abortion.
  • The aborted fetus and placenta were examined at the University of Kentucky’s Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center.

Findings and Identification

  • The examination revealed a damaging inflammation of the placenta (necrotizing placentitis).
  • Many chorionic epithelial cells were found to be distended by intracytoplasmic vacuoles containing 1-2 microm diameter, elongated, gram-positive organisms.
  • These organisms were identified as Encephalitozoon cuniculi, a microsporidial parasite that is rarely associated with placentitis in animals.
  • The identification of the organisms was accomplished through electron microscopy, a technique for obtaining high-resolution images of biological and non-biological specimens, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a method used to amplify specific DNA segments, using primers for microsporidial ribosomal DNA.

Fetal Involvement and Further Observations

  • The fetus’s joints were swollen, manifesting both gross and microscopic lesions of synovitis- inflammation of the joint’s synovial membrane.
  • Interestingly, the researchers did not detect DNA of E. cuniculi in the fetus. This aspect provides room for further research into how this parasite selectively targets its hosts and the mechanisms behind its influence on pregnancy outcome.

Cite This Article

APA
Patterson-Kane JC, Caplazi P, Rurangirwa F, Tramontin RR, Wolfsdorf K. (2003). Encephalitozoon cuniculi placentitis and abortion in a quarterhorse mare. J Vet Diagn Invest, 15(1), 57-59. https://doi.org/10.1177/104063870301500113

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1040-6387
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 57-59

Researcher Affiliations

Patterson-Kane, J C
  • Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1429 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511-1280, USA.
Caplazi, P
    Rurangirwa, F
      Tramontin, R R
        Wolfsdorf, K

          MeSH Terms

          • Abortion, Veterinary / complications
          • Abortion, Veterinary / parasitology
          • Abortion, Veterinary / pathology
          • Animals
          • Encephalitozoon cuniculi / isolation & purification
          • Encephalitozoonosis / complications
          • Encephalitozoonosis / parasitology
          • Encephalitozoonosis / pathology
          • Encephalitozoonosis / veterinary
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Placenta Diseases / complications
          • Placenta Diseases / parasitology
          • Placenta Diseases / pathology
          • Placenta Diseases / veterinary
          • Pregnancy
          • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / parasitology
          • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology
          • Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / veterinary

          Citations

          This article has been cited 11 times.
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          9. Dahmani A, Salhi O, Nabi M, Boucif A, Mekroud M, Touhami NAK, Ouchene N. Abortive diseases in horses and donkeys in Algeria: a systematic review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):30.
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          10. Ullah A, Geng M, Chen W, Zhu Q, Shi L, Zhang X, Akhtar MF, Wang C, Khan MZ. Effect of Parasitic Infections on Hematological Profile, Reproductive and Productive Performance in Equines. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 14;15(22).
            doi: 10.3390/ani15223294pubmed: 41302002google scholar: lookup
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            doi: 10.3390/ani14172494pubmed: 39272279google scholar: lookup
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