Rapport de cas Mononuclear pleocytosis and meningoencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an adult horse.
Abstract: Clinical disease caused by infection with Listeria monocytogenes is rare in adult horses, and there is a paucity of ante-mortem clinicopathologic changes for this species reported in the literature. Confirmatory diagnosis is difficult and often requires post-mortem sampling of the brainstem. This report details a case of meningoencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an adult American quarter horse gelding presenting with central neurologic signs. Pre-mortem analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed a mononuclear, primarily lymphocytic, pleocytosis, which is a reported finding in other species with listeriosis. Post-mortem histopathologic changes of the brainstem were characteristic of listeriosis, and infection was confirmed with immunohistochemical labeling and bacterial culture. Key clinical message: Listeriosis should be included as a differential diagnosis in neurologic horses with mononuclear pleocytosis identified on cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Pléocytose mononucléaire et méningo-encéphalite causées par Listeria monocytogenes chez un cheval adulte. La maladie clinique causée par une infection à L. monocytogenes est rare chez les chevaux adultes, et il y a peu de changements clinico-pathologiques ante-mortem rapportés dans la littérature pour cette espèce. Le diagnostic de confirmation est difficile et nécessite souvent un prélèvement post-mortem du tronc cérébral. Ce rapport détaille un cas de méningo-encéphalite causée par L. monocytogenes chez un hongre quarter horse américain adulte présentant des signes neurologiques centraux. L’analyse pré-mortem du liquide céphalo-rachidien a révélé une pléocytose mononucléaire, principalement lymphocytaire, qui est une trouvaille rapportée chez d’autres espèces atteintes de listériose. Les modifications histopathologiques post-mortem du tronc cérébral étaient caractéristiques de la listériose et l’infection a été confirmée par un marquage immunohistochimique et une culture bactérienne.Message clinique clé :La listériose doit être incluse comme diagnostic différentiel chez les chevaux avec signes neurologiques présentant une pléocytose mononucléaire identifiée lors de l’analyse du liquide céphalo-rachidien.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
Publication Date: 2023-04-04 PubMed ID: 37008639PubMed Central: PMC10031791
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Summary
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The research discusses a rare case of meningoencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an adult American quarter horse. The study highlights the difficulty of identifying the disease through ante-mortem practices and emphasizes the need to consider listeriosis in differential diagnoses for horses showing neurological symptoms and mononuclear pleocytosis.
Clinical Symptoms of Listeriosis in Horses
- The study focuses on a case of meningoencephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain and meninges, caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an adult American quarter horse.
- Though listeriosis is rare in adult horses, the case demonstrates that it can occur and may manifest as central neurologic signs. This includes symptoms such as lack of coordination, altered mental status, and seizures.
Diagnostic Challenges and Key Findings
- Diagnosis of listeriosis in horses is challenging and often requires post-mortem sampling of the brainstem, limiting the ability to provide early treatment for affected horses.
- However, in this case, the cerebrospinal fluid was analyzed before the horse’s death, revealing mononuclear, primarily lymphocytic, pleocytosis. This is a condition marked by an increased number of white blood cells in the spinal fluid and is a reported finding in other species with listeriosis.
Post-Mortem Evaluation
- Following death, the horse’s brainstem was examined, revealing changes characteristic of listeriosis, hence confirming the initial diagnosis.
- A bacterial culture was also used, further substantiating the presence of Listeria monocytogenes.
Clinical Implications and Recommendations
- The research stresses the importance of considering listeriosis as a possible cause of neurological symptoms in horses, particularly when mononuclear pleocytosis is identified in a cerebrospinal fluid analysis.
- Given the difficulty of diagnosing listeriosis ante-mortem, it is crucial for veterinary practitioners to be aware of this possible diagnosis to initiate suitable treatments in a timely manner.
Cite This Article
APA
Phelps S, Chong D, McKenzie E, Kiupel M, Gorman E.
(2023).
Rapport de cas Mononuclear pleocytosis and meningoencephalitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes in an adult horse.
Can Vet J, 64(4), 363-366.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Phelps, Chong, McKenzie, Gorman); Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (Kiupel).
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Phelps, Chong, McKenzie, Gorman); Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (Kiupel).
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Phelps, Chong, McKenzie, Gorman); Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (Kiupel).
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Phelps, Chong, McKenzie, Gorman); Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (Kiupel).
- Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon (Phelps, Chong, McKenzie, Gorman); Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan (Kiupel).
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Male
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Leukocytosis / diagnosis
- Leukocytosis / veterinary
- Listeria monocytogenes / pathogenicity
- Listeriosis / diagnosis
- Listeriosis / veterinary
- Meningoencephalitis / diagnosis
- Meningoencephalitis / microbiology
- Meningoencephalitis / veterinary
- Cerebrospinal Fluid / cytology
References
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