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European outbreaks of atypical myopathy in grazing horses (2006-2009): determination of indicators for risk and prognostic factors.
Abstract: Appropriate management of atypical myopathy (AM) requires the establishment of an accurate diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, preventive measures to avoid AM need to be refined. Objective: The aims of the study were as follows: 1) to improve the diagnosis of AM; 2) to identify prognostic predictors; and 3) to refine recommended preventive measures based on indicators of risk factors. Methods: An exploratory analysis of cases in Europe between 2006 and 2009 reported to the Atypical Myopathy Alert Group was conducted. Based on clinical data, reported cases were allocated into 2 groups: confirmed or highly probable AM (AM group; further divided into survivors and nonsurvivors); and cases with a low probability of having AM or with another final diagnosis (non-AM group). Using Welch's test and odds ratios corrected for multiple comparisons, the AM vs. non-AM groups were compared to identify indicators for diagnosis and risk factors, and survivors vs. nonsurvivors in the AM group were compared to identify prognostic factors. Sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values were calculated for specific clinical signs related to final diagnosis and outcome. Results: From 600 reported cases, 354 AM cases (survival rate of 26%) and 69 non-AM cases were identified, while there were insufficient data to categorise the remainder. Variables valuable for diagnosing AM compared with similar diseases were as follows: presence of dead leaves and wood and/or trees on pastures; sloping pastures; full-time pasture access; no food supplementation; normal body condition; pigmenturia; normothermia; and congested mucous membranes. Nonsurvival was associated with recumbency, sweating, anorexia, dyspnoea, tachypnoea and/or tachycardia. Survival was associated with remaining standing most of the time, normothermia, normal mucous membranes, defaecation and vitamin and antioxidant therapy. Conclusions: This study refines the list of risk factors for AM. Clinical signs valuable for diagnosis and prognosis have been identified, enabling clinicians to improve management of AM cases.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-03-13 PubMed ID: 22413891DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00555.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Clinical Examination
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Clinical Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Horses
- Prognosis
- Risk Factors
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
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.
The research article is focused on refining the diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention measures for atypical myopathy (AM), a potentially deadly disease in grazing horses, using data from cases reported in Europe between 2006 and 2009.
Objective of the Study
- The study aimed to improve the process of Atypical Myopathy (AM) diagnosis, identify predicting factors for the prognosis of the disease, and refine the preventative measures against AM based on identified risk indicators.
Methods Employed in the Study
- An exploratory analysis was conducted on reported cases of AM in Europe between 2006 and 2009.
- These cases were categorized into two groups: those confirmed or highly probable for AM- further divided into survivors and non-survivors, and cases with low probability of AM or with a different final diagnosis known as the non-AM group.
- Standards like Welch’s test (a statistical test) and Odds Ratios were applied, and comparisons made between AM and non-AM groups to determine indicators for diagnosis and risk factors. The same methods were used to compare survivors and non-survivors within the AM group in order to identify prognostic factors.
- The study calculated sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of certain clinical signs related to final diagnosis and outcomes.
Results of the Study
- Out of 600 reported cases, the study identified 354 AM cases with a 26% survival rate. Another 69 cases were categorized as non-AM cases, while there was not enough data to categorize the rest.
- The recognized variables for diagnosing AM compared to similar diseases were: presence of dead leaves and wood or trees on pastures; sloping pastures; full-time pasture access; no food supplementation; presence of dark urine; normal body temperature; and congested mucous membranes.
- Nonsurvival was associated with symptoms such as recumbency (laying down), excessive sweating, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, and high heart rate.
- Survival was linked to the horse standing most of the time, maintaining normal body temperature, having normal mucous membranes, defecating, and responding to vitamin and antioxidant therapy.
Conclusion of the Study
- The results of the study helped in refining the list of risk factors and identifiers for AM.
- Additionally, the clinical signs valuable for diagnosis and prognosis have been identified, enabling clinicians to improve management of AM cases.
Cite This Article
APA
van Galen G, Saegerman C, Marcillaud Pitel 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 horses (2006-2009): determination of indicators for risk and prognostic factors.
Equine Vet J, 44(5), 621-625.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00555.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Belgium. gaby@equinespecialists.eu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Disease Outbreaks / veterinary
- Europe / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Models, Biological
- Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
- Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
- Muscular Diseases / etiology
- Muscular Diseases / veterinary
- Risk Factors
- Time Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 16 times.- François AC, Taminiau B, Renaud B, Gonza-Quito IE, Massey C, Hyde C, Piercy RJ, Douny C, Scippo ML, Daube G, Gustin P, Delcenserie V, Votion DM. In Vitro Investigation of Equine Gut Microbiota Alterations During Hypoglycin A Exposure. Animals (Basel) 2025 Nov 19;15(22).
- François AC, Cesarini C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, Kruse CJ, Boemer F, van Loon G, Palmers K, Daube G, Wouters CP, Lecoq L, Gustin P, Votion DM. Unravelling Faecal Microbiota Variations in Equine Atypical Myopathy: Correlation with Blood Markers and Contribution of Microbiome. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jan 26;15(3).
- Wouters CP, Klein B, Price N, Boemer F, Voz ML, Votion DM. A Zebrafish Embryo Model to Screen Potential Therapeutic Compounds in Sapindaceae Poisoning. Molecules 2024 Oct 19;29(20).
- Kruse CJ, Dieu M, Renaud B, François AC, Stern D, Demazy C, Burteau S, Boemer F, Art T, Renard P, Votion DM. New Pathophysiological Insights from Serum Proteome Profiling in Equine Atypical Myopathy. ACS Omega 2024 Feb 13;9(6):6505-6526.
- Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N, Renaud B, Kruse CJ, François AC, Wouters CP, Boemer F, Votion DM. Tissue Specific Distribution and Activation of Sapindaceae Toxins in Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy. Animals (Basel) 2023 Jul 26;13(15).
- Jahn P, Dobešová D, Brumarová R, Tóthová K, Kopecká A, Friedecký D. Dynamics of acylcarnitines, hypoglycin A, méthylènecyclopropylglycine and their metabolites in a Kladruber stallion with atypical myopathy. Vet Q 2022 Dec;42(1):183-191.
- Renaud B, Kruse CJ, François AC, Grund L, Bunert C, Brisson L, Boemer F, Gault G, Ghislain B, Petitjean T, Gustin P, Votion DM. Acer pseudoplatanus: A Potential Risk of Poisoning for Several Herbivore Species. Toxins (Basel) 2022 Jul 26;14(8).
- Kruse CJ, Stern D, Mouithys-Mickalad A, Niesten A, Art T, Lemieux H, Votion DM. In Vitro Assays for the Assessment of Impaired Mitochondrial Bioenergetics in Equine Atypical Myopathy. Life (Basel) 2021 Jul 20;11(7).
- Renaud B, François AC, Boemer F, Kruse C, Stern D, Piot A, Petitjean T, Gustin P, Votion DM. Grazing Mares on Pasture with Sycamore Maples: A Potential Threat to Suckling Foals and Food Safety through Milk Contamination. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 5;11(1).
- Votion DM, François AC, Kruse C, Renaud B, Farinelle A, Bouquieaux MC, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Gustin P. Answers to the Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Horse Feeding and Management Practices to Reduce the Risk of Atypical Myopathy. Animals (Basel) 2020 Feb 24;10(2).
- Boemer F, Detilleux J, Cello C, Amory H, Marcillaud-Pitel C, Richard E, van Galen G, van Loon G, Lefère L, Votion DM. Acylcarnitines profile best predicts survival in horses with atypical myopathy. PLoS One 2017;12(8):e0182761.
- Westermann CM, van Leeuwen R, van Raamsdonk LW, Mol HG. Hypoglycin A Concentrations in Maple Tree Species in the Netherlands and the Occurrence of Atypical Myopathy in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016 May;30(3):880-4.
- Gomez DE, Valberg SJ, Magdesian KG, Hanna PE, Lofstedt J. Acquired multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency and marked selenium deficiency causing severe rhabdomyolysis in a horse. Can Vet J 2015 Nov;56(11):1166-71.
- Bochnia M, Ziegler J, Sander J, Uhlig A, Schaefer S, Vollstedt S, Glatter M, Abel S, Recknagel S, Schusser GF, Wensch-Dorendorf M, Zeyner A. Hypoglycin A Content in Blood and Urine Discriminates Horses with Atypical Myopathy from Clinically Normal Horses Grazing on the Same Pasture. PLoS One 2015;10(9):e0136785.
- Unger L, Nicholson A, Jewitt EM, Gerber V, Hegeman A, Sweetman L, Valberg S. Hypoglycin A concentrations in seeds of Acer pseudoplatanus trees growing on atypical myopathy-affected and control pastures. J Vet Intern Med 2014 Jul-Aug;28(4):1289-93.
- Votion DM. The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beginning to a possible end. ISRN Vet Sci 2012;2012:281018.
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