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The Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research1976; 43(3); 113-122;

Leukoencephalomalacia: a mycotoxicosis of Equidae caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon.

Abstract: When 2 horses were dosed with cultures of a Fusarium moniliforme isolate that had previously caused only hepatosis, 1 developed brain oedema and hepatosis, and the other only leukoencephalomalacia. A 3rd horse developed both leukoencephalomalacia and hepatosis after being dosed with another isolate obtained from maize which was associated with a natural outbreak of the nervous form of the disease. Since leukoencephalomalacia and hepatosis could be induced by the same culture material, it was concluded that both syndromes were manifestations of the same toxicosis. There was also some evidence that leukoencephalomalacia might be specifically induced by the administration of smaller doses of the culture material to horses over a longer period. The clinical signs of nervous disorder included ataxia, paresis, apathy, hypersensitivity, frenzy, and other locomotory and psychic disturbances. Autopsy showed that the brains were oedematous, and focal areas of liquefactive necrosis were present in the cerebral white matter. In 1 case the malacic areas were not confined to the subcortical white matter but were microscopically visible in the cerebral cortex as well. An histopathological examination of the areas bordering on the malacic areas revealed rarefication of the white matter, perivascular haemorrhages, oedema and cellular infiltration composed mainly of plasma cells and eosinophiles. Many of the macrophages in these areas contained lipfuscin-like granules, but these granules also occurred extracellularly in the neuropil. In the layers of the cortex nearest the malacic areas, satellitosis and neurophagia were commonly seen.
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Publication Date: 1976-09-01 PubMed ID: 1012650
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  • Journal Article

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 study investigates the effects of Fusarium moniliforme fungus in horses, concluding that it can induce both leukoencephalomalacia (brain softening) and hepatosis (liver damage). Different manifestations of these effects were observed depending on the dosage and duration of exposure.

Study Overview

  • The research revolved around the testing of two horses that were dosed with cultures of a Fusarium moniliforme isolate, a type of fungus known to cause mycotoxicoses – diseases caused by mycotoxins produced by fungi.
  • The Fusarium moniliforme isolate had previously caused only hepatosis, a liver disease, but in this experiment, one horse developed brain oedema and hepatosis, and the other developed leukoencephalomalacia, a condition characterized by the softening of the white matter in the brain.

Study Findings

  • A third horse was dosed with another isolate obtained from maize, linked with a natural outbreak of the nervous form of the disease. This horse developed both leukoencephalomalacia and hepatosis.
  • From these results, it was concluded that both hepatosis and leukoencephalomalacia could be caused by the same toxicosis from the Fusarium moniliforme culture.
  • There was further evidence suggesting that leukoencephalomalacia could specifically be induced by administering smaller doses of the fungus over a longer period.

Clinical Symptoms and Autopsy Observations

  • The clinical signs observed in affected horses included ataxia (loss of control of body movements), paresis (muscular weakness), apathy, hypersensitivity, frenzy, and other locomotory and psychological disturbances.
  • Autopsy findings showed oedematous brains, which are swollen due to fluid retention, and focal areas of liquefactive necrosis in the cerebral white matter, showing damage and death of brain tissues.
  • Microscopic examination of affected brain areas revealed the thinning of the white matter, perivascular haemorrhages, oedema, and invasive cells majorly composed of plasma cells and eosinophiles.
  • Lastly, many macrophages in these areas contained lipid-containing residues known as lipofuscin-like granules, which were also found extracellularly in the nerve tissue matrix (neuropil).

Cite This Article

APA
Marasas WF, Kellerman TS, Pienaar JG, Naudé TW. (1976). Leukoencephalomalacia: a mycotoxicosis of Equidae caused by Fusarium moniliforme Sheldon. Onderstepoort J Vet Res, 43(3), 113-122.

Publication

The Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0030-2465
NlmUniqueID: 0401107
Country: South Africa
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 3
Pages: 113-122

Researcher Affiliations

Marasas, W F
    Kellerman, T S
      Pienaar, J G
        Naudé, T W

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Brain / pathology
          • Encephalomalacia / etiology
          • Encephalomalacia / pathology
          • Encephalomalacia / veterinary
          • Fusarium
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Liver / pathology
          • Male
          • Mycotoxins / poisoning

          Citations

          This article has been cited 32 times.
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