Equine grass sickness.
Abstract: Equine grass sickness (EGS; equine dysautonomia) is a polyneuronopathy affecting both the central and the peripheral nervous systems of horses. As the name implies, EGS almost exclusively affects grazing horses, resulting in the development of a characteristic array of clinical signs, most of which can be attributed to neuronal degeneration in the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. Varying disease severities occur, largely determined by the extent of neuronal degeneration in the myenteric and submucous plexuses of the enteric nervous system. Extensive neuronal degeneration, as seen in acute and subacute forms of EGS, results in intestinal dysmotility, the severity of which is incompatible with survival. In comparison, a proportion of chronic forms of EGS, characterised by less severe neuronal degeneration, will survive. Despite extensive research efforts since EGS was first reported over 100 years ago, the precise aetiology remains elusive. This article reviews much of the scientific literature on EGS, covering epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment and aetiological hypotheses.
© 2014 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2014-04-20 PubMed ID: 24580639DOI: 10.1111/evj.12254Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research discusses Equine grass sickness (EGS), a disease affecting the nervous systems of horses which primarily influences those that graze. The specific cause remains unclear despite significant research, however, clinical signs suggest it involves neuronal breakdown in the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. The article reviews various aspects of EGS including its epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, and theories about its origins.
Epidemiology of Equine Grass Sickness
- In this section, the researchers discuss the occurrence of EGS, its distribution, and the factors affecting its prevalence. The disease is common among grazing horses, suggesting the involvement of environmental factors.
Pathology of Equine Grass Sickness
- This part explains the disease’s physical attributes and effects, especially concerning neuronal degeneration. EGS affects both the central and peripheral nervous systems of horses, resulting in intestinal dysmotility — an abnormality in the movement of food through the intestines.
- The extent of this degeneration determines the severity of the disease. Acute and subacute forms of EGS, characterized by extensive neuronal degeneration, are often fatal. On the other hand, chronic EGS, which involves less severe neuronal degeneration, is survivable.
Diagnosis of Equine Grass Sickness
- The research examines different diagnostic techniques for EGS based on its clinical signs. These signs primarily result from damage to the autonomic and enteric nervous systems.
Treatment of Equine Grass Sickness
- This section evaluates possible treatments for EGS. Treatment options would likely depend on the severity of the disease, with more extensive cases potentially requiring more aggressive interventions.
Aetiological Hypotheses of Equine Grass Sickness
- In this part, the researchers discuss possible causes of EGS. Despite substantial research, the exact cause remains unclear. The authors review various theories that have been proposed over the years, focusing on potential environmental, genetic, and situational factors.
Cite This Article
APA
Pirie RS, Jago RC, Hudson NP.
(2014).
Equine grass sickness.
Equine Vet J, 46(5), 545-553.
https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12254 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Veterinary Campus, Midlothian, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / pathology
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / therapy
- Gastrointestinal Diseases / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Polyneuropathies / diagnosis
- Polyneuropathies / pathology
- Polyneuropathies / therapy
- Polyneuropathies / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- McGorum BC, Chen Z, Glendinning L, Gweon HS, Hunt L, Ivens A, Keen JA, Pirie RS, Taylor J, Wilkinson T, McLachlan G. Equine grass sickness (a multiple systems neuropathy) is associated with alterations in the gastrointestinal mycobiome.. Anim Microbiome 2021 Oct 9;3(1):70.
- Laus F, Corsalini J, Mandara MT, Bazzano M, Bertoletti A, Gialletti R. Equine grass sickness in italy: a case series study.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Aug 6;17(1):264.
- Niederlender S, Fontaine JJ, Karadjian G. Potential applications of aptamers in veterinary science.. Vet Res 2021 Jun 2;52(1):79.
- Milne EM, Pirie RS, Hahn CN, Del-Pozo J, Drummond D, Moss S, McGorum BC. A study of residual lesions in horses that recovered from clinical signs of chronic equine dysautonomia.. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Sep;33(5):2302-2311.
- Randleff-Rasmussen PK, Leblond A, Cappelle J, Bontemps J, Belluco S, Popoff MR, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Tapprest J, Tritz P, Desjardins I. Development of a clinical prediction score for detection of suspected cases of equine grass sickness (dysautonomia) in France.. Vet Res Commun 2018 Mar;42(1):19-27.
- McGorum BC, Symonds HW, Knottenbelt C, Cave TA, MacDonald SJ, Stratton J, Leon I, Turner JA, Pirie RS. Alterations in amino acid status in cats with feline dysautonomia.. PLoS One 2017;12(3):e0174346.
- Husulak ML, Lohmann KL, Gabadage K, Wojnarowicz C, Marqués FJ. Equine motor neuron disease in 2 horses from Saskatchewan.. Can Vet J 2016 Jul;57(7):771-6.
- McGorum BC, Pirie RS, Eaton SL, Keen JA, Cumyn EM, Arnott DM, Chen W, Lamont DJ, Graham LC, Llavero Hurtado M, Pemberton A, Wishart TM. Proteomic Profiling of Cranial (Superior) Cervical Ganglia Reveals Beta-Amyloid and Ubiquitin Proteasome System Perturbations in an Equine Multiple System Neuropathy.. Mol Cell Proteomics 2015 Nov;14(11):3072-86.
- Chiocchetti R, Giancola F, Mazzoni M, Sorteni C, Romagnoli N, Pietra M. Excitatory and inhibitory enteric innervation of horse lower esophageal sphincter.. Histochem Cell Biol 2015 Jun;143(6):625-35.
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