FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 10000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2008; 21(6); 1380-1391; doi: 10.1892/07-053.1

History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses in Belgium (2000-2005).

Abstract: The emergent nature of atypical myopathy or atypical myoglobinuria (AM) necessitates precise description of its clinical and epidemiologic features. Objective: To define key features of AM to help practitioners recognize the disease and to advise owners to take preventive measures. Methods: Belgian cases of AM confirmed by histology (CC horses; n = 57) from autumn 2000 to spring 2005 were included in the study. Co-grazing horses (Co-G horses; n = 77) that remained free of any abnormal clinical signs constituted a control group. Methods: History, environmental characteristics, clinical signs, and laboratory results associated with AM were determined by a retrospective case series study. Results: Young horses in poor or normal body condition were found to be at risk for AM. Pastures were characterized by poor natural drainage and vegetation of low nutritional value. Features of AM were seasonal occurrence, apparent link with weather conditions (ie, lack of solar radiation with no heavy frost and an excess of precipitation or relative humidity), sudden onset of clinical signs, and rapid death. Evaluation of serum creatine kinase activity indicated severe muscle destruction in CC horses and subclinical disease in a few Co-G horses. Conclusions: The association of AM with specific environmental conditions and individual animals suggests that young horses should not be pastured on bare premises subject to humidity when the weather has been very wet and cold for several days. Management of AM outbreaks should include control of Co-G horses who are apparently healthy.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2008-01-17 PubMed ID: 18196750DOI: 10.1892/07-053.1Google 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.
LinkedInCopy
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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.

This research examined the characteristics of a disease called atypical myopathy (AM) affecting horses in Belgium from 2000-2005. The aim was to draw a clear picture of this disease’s nature and its risk factors to help veterinarians recognize it effectively and advise horse owners on prevention strategies.

Methodology

The researchers studied Belgian horses that had confirmed cases of AM — diagnosed using histology — during the autumn of 2000 up to spring 2005, designated as CC horses. There were 57 affected horses.
In addition, 77 co-grazing horses (Co-G horses), who shared the same pastures but did not exhibit any abnormal clinical signs, were included as a control group. The team used historical data, environmental characteristics, clinical signs, and laboratory results related to AM to comprehend the disease.

  • History: The researchers considered the past health records of the horses and their environmental exposure.
  • Environmental Characteristics: Features of the horses’ grazing pastures, like its drainage and the quality of its vegetation, were noted.
  • Clinical Signs: The symptoms exhibited by the horses were studied.
  • Laboratory Results: Blood tests and tissue samples were used to confirm the presence of the disease and assess its severity.

Results

Horses in poor or normal body condition, particularly the younger ones, were found to be at higher risk for AM. Pastures with poor natural drainage and vegetation of low nutritional value might contribute to the risk.
The disease appeared to have a seasonal occurrence and seemed linked to weather conditions, particularly when there was a lack of sunlight, no heavy frost but extended precipitation or relative humidity. AM is marked by a sudden onset of clinical signs and rapid death of the afflicted horses.
The assessment showed that CC horses suffered severe muscle damage, as indicated by the high serum creatine kinase activity. A few Co-G horses also exhibited subclinical signs of the disease, indicating they too were afflicted but not showing symptoms.

Conclusions

The emergence of AM is associated with specific environmental conditions and individual characteristics of the horses. It is suggested that young horses should not graze in bare, humid pastures during extended periods of cold, wet weather. Management strategies should also take into account the potential risk to Co-G horses, who might be silently suffering from the disease.

Cite This Article

APA
Votion DM, Linden A, Saegerman C, Engels P, Erpicum M, Thiry E, Delguste C, Rouxhet S, Demoulin V, Navet R, Sluse F, Serteyn D, van Galen G, Amory H. (2008). History and clinical features of atypical myopathy in horses in Belgium (2000-2005). J Vet Intern Med, 21(6), 1380-1391. https://doi.org/10.1892/07-053.1

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 21
Issue: 6
Pages: 1380-1391

Researcher Affiliations

Votion, Dominique-M
  • Equine Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Bat. B41, Sart-Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium. dominique.votion@ulg.ac.be
Linden, Annick
    Saegerman, Claude
      Engels, Patrick
        Erpicum, Michel
          Thiry, Etienne
            Delguste, Catherine
              Rouxhet, Serge
                Demoulin, Vincent
                  Navet, Rachel
                    Sluse, Francis
                      Serteyn, Didier
                        van Galen, Gaby
                          Amory, Hélène

                            MeSH Terms

                            • Animal Feed
                            • Animal Husbandry
                            • Animals
                            • Belgium / epidemiology
                            • Female
                            • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
                            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                            • Horses
                            • Male
                            • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
                            • Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
                            • Muscular Diseases / veterinary
                            • Myoglobinuria / diagnosis
                            • Myoglobinuria / epidemiology
                            • Myoglobinuria / veterinary
                            • Retrospective Studies
                            • Weather

                            Citations

                            This article has been cited 20 times.
                            1. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/ani15030354pubmed: 39943124google scholar: lookup
                            2. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/molecules29204954pubmed: 39459322google scholar: lookup
                            3. 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.
                              doi: 10.1021/acsomega.3c06647pubmed: 38371826google scholar: lookup
                            4. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/ani13152410pubmed: 37570219google scholar: lookup
                            5. 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.
                              doi: 10.1080/01652176.2022.2126537pubmed: 36114619google scholar: lookup
                            6. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/toxins14080512pubmed: 35893754google scholar: lookup
                            7. Mathis D, Sass JO, Graubner C, Schoster A. Diagnosis of atypical myopathy based on organic acid and acylcarnitine profiles and evolution of biomarkers in surviving horses. Mol Genet Metab Rep 2021 Dec;29:100827.
                              doi: 10.1016/j.ymgmr.2021.100827pubmed: 34900597google scholar: lookup
                            8. Hirz M, Gregersen HA, Sander J, Votion DM, Schänzer A, Köhler K, Herden C. Atypical myopathy in 2 Bactrian camels. J Vet Diagn Invest 2021 Sep;33(5):961-965.
                              doi: 10.1177/10406387211020721pubmed: 34092152google scholar: lookup
                            9. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/ani11010087pubmed: 33466424google scholar: lookup
                            10. Sander J, Terhardt M, Janzen N. Detection of maple toxins in mare's milk. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Jan;35(1):606-609.
                              doi: 10.1111/jvim.16004pubmed: 33336854google scholar: lookup
                            11. 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).
                              doi: 10.3390/ani10020365pubmed: 32102384google scholar: lookup
                            12. Bunert C, Langer S, Votion DM, Boemer F, Müller A, Ternes K, Liesegang A. Atypical myopathy in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) associated with ingestion of hypoglycin A. J Anim Sci 2018 Jul 28;96(8):3537-3547.
                              doi: 10.1093/jas/sky200pubmed: 29762728google scholar: lookup
                            13. 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.
                              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182761pubmed: 28846683google scholar: lookup
                            14. Delesalle C, de Bruijn M, Wilmink S, Vandendriessche H, Mol G, Boshuizen B, Plancke L, Grinwis G. White muscle disease in foals: focus on selenium soil content. A case series. BMC Vet Res 2017 May 3;13(1):121.
                              doi: 10.1186/s12917-017-1040-5pubmed: 28468621google scholar: lookup
                            15. 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.
                              doi: 10.1111/jvim.13927pubmed: 26995161google scholar: lookup
                            16. 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.
                              doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136785pubmed: 26378918google scholar: lookup
                            17. Van Der Vekens N, Decloedt A, Ven S, De Clercq D, van Loon G. Cardiac troponin I as compared to troponin T for the detection of myocardial damage in horses. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Jan;29(1):348-54.
                              doi: 10.1111/jvim.12530pubmed: 25619522google scholar: lookup
                            18. 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.
                              doi: 10.1111/jvim.12367pubmed: 24863395google scholar: lookup
                            19. Votion DM. The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beginning to a possible end. ISRN Vet Sci 2012;2012:281018.
                              doi: 10.5402/2012/281018pubmed: 23762581google scholar: lookup
                            20. El-Deeb WM, El-Bahr SM. Investigation of selected biochemical indicators of Equine Rhabdomyolysis in Arabian horses: pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress markers. Vet Res Commun 2010 Dec;34(8):677-89.
                              doi: 10.1007/s11259-010-9439-5pubmed: 20830520google scholar: lookup
                            Subscribe to our newsletter
                            Join 99,727 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.