Presumptive Iatrogenic Microcystin-Associated Liver Failure and Encephalopathy in a Holsteiner Gelding.
Abstract: An 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding was presented for evaluation of anorexia, obtundation, icterus, and mild colic signs of 48 hours duration. History, physical examination, and initial diagnostics were suggestive of hepatic disease and encephalopathy. Microcystin toxicosis was suspected based on historical administration of a cyanobacteria supplement, associated serum biochemistry abnormalities, and characteristic histopathological changes. Microcystin contamination was confirmed in both supplement containers fed to the horse. Fulminant hepatic failure and encephalopathy progressed resulting in euthanasia. Necropsy findings were consistent with microcystin induced liver failure.
Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2016-09-09 PubMed ID: 27611818PubMed Central: PMC5032859DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14571Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research discusses a case where an 8-year-old horse developed serious liver disease and brain dysfunction, suspected to be because of consumption of a cyanobacteria supplement. This was confirmed upon testing the supplement and carrying out a post-mortem examination.
Introduction and Case Overview
- The study revolves around an 8-year-old Holsteiner gelding – a breed of horse.
- The horse was brought in for examination due to a lack of appetite, sluggishness, yellowing of the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes (icterus), and mild signs of colic, which is an abdominal pain common in horses.
- The symptoms had been persisting for 48 hours.
Suspected Diagnosis and Confirmation
- Based on the horse’s history, physical examination, and initial diagnostic tests, the veterinary team suspected a hepatic disease (liver disease) and encephalopathy, which is a disorder that affects the brain.
- The team suspected the horse was suffering from Microcystin toxicosis, a condition caused by toxins called microcystins that are primarily produced by freshwater cyanobacteria. This suspicion stemmed from the fact that the horse had been given a supplement derived from cyanobacteria.
- The diagnostic tests and examination of the horse’s blood showed abnormalities consistent with this kind of poisoning.
- Histopathological changes, or alterations in the tissue detected through microscopic examination, also suggested microcystin intoxication.
- The team was able to confirm this diagnosis once they found microcystin contamination in the cyanobacteria supplement containers that had been given to the horse.
Outcome
- Despite attempts at treatment, the horse’s liver failure and brain dysfunction (encephalopathy) worsened rapidly. This debilitating condition, known as fulminant hepatic failure, led the veterinary team to make the decision to euthanize the horse.
- The findings during the necropsy (animal autopsy) after euthanasia were consistent with the diagnosis of microcystin-induced liver failure.
Implications
- This research suggests a serious risk in providing horses with supplements containing cyanobacteria, given the potential contamination with harmful toxins.
- It emphasizes the need for careful consideration and perhaps further regulation of such supplements, to prevent similar cases in future.
Cite This Article
APA
Mittelman NS, Engiles JB, Murphy L, Vudathala D, Johnson AL.
(2016).
Presumptive Iatrogenic Microcystin-Associated Liver Failure and Encephalopathy in a Holsteiner Gelding.
J Vet Intern Med, 30(5), 1747-1751.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14571 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center Hospital for Large Animals, Kennett Square, PA. neilmitt@vet.upenn.edu.
- Pathobiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA.
- Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center Hospital for Large Animals, Kennett Square, PA.
- Toxicology, University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center Hospital for Large Animals, Kennett Square, PA.
- Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brain Diseases / chemically induced
- Brain Diseases / veterinary
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / pathology
- Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horses
- Male
- Microcystins / toxicity
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