Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease in three donkeys.

The research article discusses a rare equine disease, multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED), detailing it’s occurrence, for the first time in three donkeys. The study covers the clinical signs and post-mortem examination of the animals, highlighting the symptoms of the disease and pathology in donkeys.

About Multisystemic Eosinophilic Epitheliotropic Disease (MEED)

• MEED is a rare condition that affects equids (a mammal family that includes horses, donkeys, and zebras), characterized by an unusual number of eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) infiltrating multiple organs of the animal’s body.
• The symptoms of the disease vary depending on which organs are affected. The most common clinical signs include chronic weight loss, diarrhea and exfoliative dermatitis (skin condition where there is a peeling of the skin).
• The disease may also manifest as respiratory distress or elevated liver enzymes but these are seen less frequently.
• The cause of MEED is currently unknown and the progression of the disease (pathogenesis) is poorly understood. Until the time of the research, there had been less than 50 reported cases of horses with MEED.

Examination and Findings in Donkeys

• This research paper records the case of three donkeys experiencing fluctuating or chronic weight loss, lethargy, exfoliative dermatitis, and a high number of eosinophils in the blood (peripheral eosinophilia).
• All three donkeys were euthanized due to the severity of their condition and welfare concerns.
• Following a post-mortem examination, irregular masses composed of eosinophilic infiltrates were found in various organs, including eosinophilic granulomas (clusters of activated immune cells).
• This investigation confirmed the presence of MEED in these donkeys, marking the first known reported incidence of the disease in this species.

Significance of the Research

• This research is important as it adds to the limited knowledge and understanding of MEED. This discovery of the disease in donkeys expands its known scope and informs veterinarians of an additional species that can be affected by the disease.
• The research is also valuable in that it helps understand the presentation and pathology of MEED in donkeys, contributing to further understanding and potentially leading to earlier detection and treatment in future cases.