Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis (Nematoda: Rhabditida).
Abstract: Opportunistic infections with the free living nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis are infrequently reported in horses but the cases are widespread geographically. The nematodes are believed to penetrate wounds and subsequently reproduce within the host tissues. This paper reports two cases of a fatal disease in stallions of the Icelandic breed in Iceland. Case 1: a stallion, which sustained injuries to the mouth after an accident, developed severe neurological signs and had to be euthanatized. Histological examination revealed mild inflammation and malacia in the cerebellum associated with the presence of numerous H. gingivalis nematodes. Case 2: a stallion that started swerving to one side and lost balance was euthanatized due to lack of response to therapy and rapid deterioration. Histological examination revealed numerous H. gingivalis nematodes in the cerebellum, brain stem, cervical spinal cord and in the meninges, with minimal reactive changes. In case 1 the infection presumably was acquired by nematodes from soil penetrating through wounds in the mouth. The mode of the H. gingivalis infection in case 2 is uncertain. These are the first cases of H. gingivalis infection reported from Iceland and the second report from the Nordic countries.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-11-12 PubMed ID: 22305655DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigated the fatal infection caused by the nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis in two Icelandic stallions. The researchers documented how the nematodes likely entered through wounds and then multiplied within the horses’ bodies, leading to severe neurological signs and ultimately necessitating euthanization of the animals.
Introduction
- The paper studies cases of fatal infections in horses caused by a free-living nematode Halicephalobus gingivalis. This nematode infects horses opportunistically and has been reported in diverse geographical areas.
First Case
- The first case involved a stallion that had mouth injuries due to an accident. Post injury, the stallion developed severe neurological symptoms, which led to its euthanization.
- A histological examination of the horse’s cerebellum revealed mild inflammation and malacia, which is a softening of the tissues often attributed to a deficiency in blood supply. These changes were associated with the presence of numerous H. gingivalis nematodes.
- The paper suggests that the infection in this case likely resulted from nematodes present in the soil that penetrated through the wounds in the horse’s mouth.
Second Case
- The second case involved a stallion that began showing signs of imbalance and repetitive swerving to one side. Despite efforts to treat the horse, it showed no response and rapidly deteriorated, leading to its euthanization.
- Histological examination of this horse revealed numerous H. gingivalis nematodes in its cerebellum, brain stem, cervical spinal cord, and meninges. However, the examination showed minimal reactive changes, indicating a potential lack of effective immune response in the horse against the nematodes.
- The mode of infection in this case was not clear.
Significance
- These are the first reported cases of H. gingivalis infection in horses from Iceland and only the second report from the Nordic countries. The study thus contributes significantly to the literature on infections caused by H. gingivalis nematodes in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Eydal M, Bambir SH, Sigurdarson S, Gunnarsson E, Svansson V, Fridriksson S, Benediktsson ET, Sigurdardóttir ÓG.
(2011).
Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis (Nematoda: Rhabditida).
Vet Parasitol, 186(3-4), 523-527.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute for Experimental Pathology, University of Iceland, Keldur, Vesturlandsvegur, 112 Reykjavík, Iceland. meydal@hi.is
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain Stem / parasitology
- Cerebellum / parasitology
- Fatal Outcome
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Iceland / epidemiology
- Male
- Rhabditida
- Rhabditida Infections / parasitology
- Rhabditida Infections / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Sousa TM, Toma HS, Lima AP, Junior ACCL, Nunes MM, Silva APCD, Wouters D, Albuquerque AS, Varaschin MS, Raymundo DL, Toma CDM, Batista FA. Pathological fracture induced by Halicephalobus gingivalis (Nematoda: Rhabditida) in a horse limb. Parasites Hosts Dis 2024 Feb;62(1):131-138.
- Olofsson KM, van de Velde N, Peletto S, Iulini B, Pratley L, Modabberzadeh B, Małek E, Grandi G. First Swedish case of fatal equine parasitic encephalitis by Halicephalobus gingivalis. Acta Vet Scand 2023 Dec 15;65(1):56.
- Boos GS, Failing K, Colodel EM, Driemeier D, de Castro MB, Bassuino DM, Diomedes Barbosa J, Herden C. Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein and Ionized Calcium-Binding Adapter Molecule 1 Immunostaining Score for the Central Nervous System of Horses With Non-suppurative Encephalitis and Encephalopathies. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:660022.
- Noiva R, Ruivo P, de Carvalho LM, Fonseca C, Fevereiro M, Carvalho P, Orge L, Monteiro M, Peleteiro MC. First description of a fatal equine infection with Halicephalobus gingivalis in Portugal. Relevance for public health. Vet Med Sci 2019 May;5(2):222-229.
- Onyiche TE, Okute TO, Oseni OS, Okoro DO, Biu AA, Mbaya AW. Parasitic and zoonotic meningoencephalitis in humans and equids: Current knowledge and the role of Halicephalobus gingivalis. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2018 Feb;3(1):36-42.
- Pintore MD, Cerutti F, D'Angelo A, Corona C, Gazzuola P, Masoero L, Colombo C, Bona R, Cantile C, Peletto S, Casalone C, Iulini B. Isolation and molecular characterisation of Halicephalobus gingivalis in the brain of a horse in Piedmont, Italy. Parasit Vectors 2017 Mar 7;10(1):135.
- Taulescu MA, Ionicã AM, Diugan E, Pavaloiu A, Cora R, Amorim I, Catoi C, Roccabianca P. First report of fatal systemic Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in two Lipizzaner horses from Romania: clinical, pathological, and molecular characterization. Parasitol Res 2016 Mar;115(3):1097-103.
- Lim CK, Crawford A, Moore CV, Gasser RB, Nelson R, Koehler AV, Bradbury RS, Speare R, Dhatrak D, Weldhagen GF. First human case of fatal Halicephalobus gingivalis meningoencephalitis in Australia. J Clin Microbiol 2015 May;53(5):1768-74.
- Henneke C, Jespersen A, Jacobsen S, Nielsen MK, McEvoy F, Jensen HE. The distribution pattern of Halicephalobus gingivalis in a horse is suggestive of a haematogenous spread of the nematode. Acta Vet Scand 2014 Sep 19;56(1):56.
- Jung JY, Lee KH, Rhyoo MY, Byun JW, Bae YC, Choi E, Kim C, Jean YH, Lee MH, Yoon SS. Meningoencephalitis caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis in a thoroughbred gelding. J Vet Med Sci 2014 Mar 1;76(2):281-4.
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