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Equine veterinary journal2012; 44(5); 614-620; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00556.x

European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing equids (2006-2009): spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features.

Abstract: Improved understanding of the epidemiology of atypical myopathy (AM) will help to define the environmental factors that permit or support the causal agent(s) to exert toxicity. Objective: This European survey of AM aimed to describe spatiotemporal distribution, survival, clinical signs, circumstances in which AM develops and its different expressions between countries and over time. Methods: The spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features of AM cases reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group from 2006 to 2009 were described. Comparisons of data from the most severely affected countries and from the large outbreaks were made with Fisher's exact and Welch's tests with Bonferroni correction. Results: Of 600 suspected cases, 354 met the diagnostic criteria for confirmed or highly probable AM. The largest outbreaks occurred during the autumns of 2006 and 2009 in Belgium, France and Germany. For the first time, donkeys, zebras and old horses were affected, and clinical signs such as gastrointestinal impaction, diarrhoea, penile prolapse, buccal ulceration and renal dysfunction were observed. Affected horses spent >6 h/day on pastures that almost always contained or were surrounded by trees. The latency period was estimated at up to 4 days. Overall survival rate was 26%. Although differences between countries in affected breeds, body condition, horse management and pasture characteristics were recognised, the common presenting clinical signs and mortality were similar between countries. Conclusions: This study describes new data on case details, history and clinical course of AM that is of preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic value. However, the true impact of the findings of this study on the development of or severity of AM should be tested with case-control studies.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2012-03-26 PubMed ID: 22448904DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00556.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article analyzes the distribution, epidemiology, clinical features, and histories of atypical myopathy in grazing equids across Europe between 2006 and 2009, providing valuable insights into the disease’s development and severity along with useful information for future prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies.

About Atypical Myopathy

  • Atypical myopathy (AM) is a severe and frequently fatal disease that affects grazing horses. Its cause is believed to be environmental, relating to certain toxins found in pastures.
  • The study intends to broaden the understanding of AM in order to identify the environmental factors that contribute to the disease’s causative agents and toxicity.

Spatiotemporal Distribution and History

  • The researchers studied the distribution, history, and clinical features of AM cases reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group from 2006 to 2009
  • Out of 600 suspected cases, 354 met the diagnosis criteria for confirmed or highly probable AM, the greatest number of which were observed in Belgium, France, and Germany during the autumns of 2006 and 2009.

Equids Affected and Clinical Signs

  • For the first time, not only horses but also zebras and donkeys were found to be affected.
  • New clinical signs observed included gastrointestinal impaction, diarrhoea, penile prolapse, buccal ulceration, and renal dysfunction.
  • The affected equids were typically grazing for over 6 hours a day on pastures surrounded by or containing trees.

Latency Period and Survival Rate

  • The latency period of the disease was estimated to be up to 4 days.
  • The overall survival rate among the affected equids was only 26%.

Commonalities and Differences across Countries

  • While there were differences between countries in terms of affected breeds, body condition, horse management, and pasture characteristics, the common clinical signs and mortality rates were similar.

Significance of the Research

  • The study provides new data on the details, history, and clinical course of AM, which are of significant preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic value.
  • The authors conclude that the true impact of their findings on the development and severity of AM should be tested with case-control studies in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
van Galen G, Marcillaud Pitel C, Saegerman C, Patarin F, Amory H, Baily JD, Cassart D, Gerber V, Hahn C, Harris P, Keen JA, Kirschvink N, Lefere L, McGorum B, Muller JM, Picavet MT, Piercy RJ, Roscher K, Serteyn D, Unger L, van der Kolk JH, van Loon G, Verwilghen D, Westermann CM, Votion DM. (2012). European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing equids (2006-2009): spatiotemporal distribution, history and clinical features. Equine Vet J, 44(5), 614-620. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00556.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 44
Issue: 5
Pages: 614-620

Researcher Affiliations

van Galen, G
  • Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium. gaby@equinespecialists.eu
Marcillaud Pitel, C
    Saegerman, C
      Patarin, F
        Amory, H
          Baily, J D
            Cassart, D
              Gerber, V
                Hahn, C
                  Harris, P
                    Keen, J A
                      Kirschvink, N
                        Lefere, L
                          McGorum, B
                            Muller, J M V
                              Picavet, M T J E
                                Piercy, R J
                                  Roscher, K
                                    Serteyn, D
                                      Unger, L
                                        van der Kolk, J H
                                          van Loon, G
                                            Verwilghen, D
                                              Westermann, C M
                                                Votion, D M

                                                  MeSH Terms

                                                  • Animal Husbandry
                                                  • Animals
                                                  • Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
                                                  • Environment
                                                  • Equidae
                                                  • Europe / epidemiology
                                                  • Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
                                                  • Muscular Diseases / pathology
                                                  • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
                                                  • Time Factors

                                                  Citations

                                                  This article has been cited 21 times.
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