Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis due to Neospora hughesi and equine motor neuron disease in a mule.
Abstract: A 23-year-old female mule was presented for bilateral ocular abnormalities and an abnormal pelvic limb gait. Results: Anisocoria, unilateral enophthalmos, medial strabismus, ptosis, pupillary light reflex deficits, and bilateral reticulated pigmentary retinopathy were observed on ophthalmic examination. Neurologic abnormalities included right-sided facial nerve paralysis, extensive symmetric muscle atrophy, and asymmetric pelvic limb ataxia with an abnormal pelvic limb gait. A positive titer (1:40) for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) associated with Neospora hughesi was obtained from cerebrospinal fluid with minimal (<1 red blood cell/microL) blood contamination. Muscle biopsies of the sacrocaudalis dorsalis medialis muscle revealed predominantly type I neurogenic muscle atrophy, consistent with a diagnosis of equine motor neuron disease (EMND). Results: Treatment included a 2-month course of ponazuril (5 mg/kg PO q24 h), vitamin E (8000 IU PO q24 h), and selenium (2 mg PO q24 h). Clinical improvement was not observed after 2 months although the mule remained stable. Clinical deterioration was reported upon discontinuation of the ponazuril after a 2-month course. Conclusions: Concurrent disease with EPM associated with N. hughesi and EMND should be considered in cases demonstrating cranial nerve abnormalities, pronounced symmetric muscle atrophy, unusual asymmetric gait abnormalities, and reticulated pigmentary retinopathy.
Publication Date: 2010-07-14 PubMed ID: 20618805DOI: 10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00790.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article details the medical investigation and treatment of a 23-year-old female mule diagnosed with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) caused by Neospora hughesi and equine motor neuron disease (EMND). However, despite rigorous treatment, clinical improvement was not observed.
Case Presentation and Examination
- The researchers presented the case of a mule who was brought in for bilateral ocular abnormalities and an abnormal pelvic limb gait.
- An ophthalmic examination revealed various abnormalities, including anisocoria, unilateral enophthalmos, medial strabismus, ptosis, and more, demonstrating significant eye-related issues.
- Beyond just ocular issues, the mule also exhibited neurological abnormalities, like right-sided facial nerve paralysis, large-scale symmetrical muscle atrophy, and unusual bilateral pelvic limb ataxia, suggesting impaired motor functions.
Diagnosis and Disease Association
- Through an analysis of the mule’s cerebrospinal fluid, a positive titer (1:40) for EPM, associated with Neospora hughesi, a type of protozoal parasite, was detected.
- Muscle biopsies further revealed neurogenic muscle atrophy, which was predominantly of type I, indicating the presence of equine motor neuron disease (EMND).
- The research emphasizes the significance of considering both EPM and EMND, particularly in cases that display a combination of cranial nerve abnormalities, muscle atrophy, unusual gait abnormalities, and reticulated pigmentary retinopathy.
Treatment and Results
- The mule underwent a 2-month course of treatment that included a combination of ponazuril, vitamin E, and selenium.
- Despite the treatment, no clinical improvement was observed within the two months, although the mule’s condition remained stable during this period.
- However, upon cessation of the ponazuril treatment after the two-month course, the mule was reported to have experienced clinical deterioration.
Cite This Article
APA
Finno CJ, Eaton JS, Aleman M, Hollingsworth SR.
(2010).
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis due to Neospora hughesi and equine motor neuron disease in a mule.
Vet Ophthalmol, 13(4), 259-265.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-5224.2010.00790.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. cjfinno@vmth.ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
- Coccidiosis / complications
- Coccidiosis / diagnosis
- Coccidiosis / drug therapy
- Coccidiosis / veterinary
- Encephalomyelitis / parasitology
- Encephalomyelitis / veterinary
- Equidae / parasitology
- Eye Diseases / diagnosis
- Eye Diseases / parasitology
- Eye Diseases / veterinary
- Female
- Motor Neuron Disease / parasitology
- Motor Neuron Disease / veterinary
- Neospora
- Triazines / therapeutic use
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