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Home / Equine Research Bank / Acta Vet Scand / The distribution pattern of Halicephalobus gingivalis in a h...
Acta veterinaria Scandinavica2014; 56(1); 56; doi: 10.1186/s13028-014-0056-0

The distribution pattern of Halicephalobus gingivalis in a horse is suggestive of a haematogenous spread of the nematode.

Abstract: The majority of Halicephalobus gingivalis-infections in horses have been fatal and are usually not diagnosed before necropsy. Therefore, knowledge about the nematode and the pathogenesis of infection in horses is limited. This has resulted in an on-going discussion about the port of entry and subsequent dissemination of H. gingivalis within the host. The present case of H. gingivalis-infection in a horse was diagnosed ante mortem. Post mortem findings, the distribution pattern of H. gingivalis nematodes in the brain, a high prevalence of inflammation in close relation to blood vessels, and the presence of the nematode in multiple organs with a disseminated pattern of distribution strongly suggested a haematogenous spread of the nematode in the horse.
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Publication Date: 2014-09-19 PubMed ID: 25233889PubMed Central: PMC4182768DOI: 10.1186/s13028-014-0056-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 research discusses the spread of the Halicephalobus gingivalis parasite in horses, suggesting it may disseminate through the bloodstream.

Understanding Halicephalobus gingivalis Infections in Horses

  • The research revolves around understanding H. gingivalis, a nematode that causes fatal infections in horses. Due to the high fatality rate, most of these infections aren’t diagnosed until after death, limiting knowledge about the nematode and how it infects horses.
  • The paper also discusses the contention surrounding the entry point of H. gingivalis in the host and its subsequent spread within the body.

Key Findings from the Case Study

  • The particular case of H. gingivalis infection that this research focuses on was diagnosed while the horse was still alive (ante mortem).
  • Post-death (post mortem) findings highlighted a unique distribution pattern of H. gingivalis nematodes in the horse’s brain.
  • A high prevalence of inflammation near blood vessels was noted, which hints at the involvement of the circulatory system in the disease progression.
  • Moreover, the presence of H. gingivalis in multiple organs in a disseminated pattern suggested that the nematode spreads through the horse’s bloodstream (haematogenous spread).

Significance of the Findings

  • These findings challenge the notion around the spread of H. gingivalis and suggest that it might spread through the horses’ circulatory system, instead of being localized.
  • This insight can help in devising new diagnostic methods and treatments for the infection, potentially improving the survival rate among horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Henneke C, Jespersen A, Jacobsen S, Nielsen MK, McEvoy F, Jensen HE. (2014). The distribution pattern of Halicephalobus gingivalis in a horse is suggestive of a haematogenous spread of the nematode. Acta Vet Scand, 56(1), 56. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-014-0056-0

Publication

Acta veterinaria Scandinavica
ISSN: 1751-0147
NlmUniqueID: 0370400
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 56
Issue: 1
Pages: 56
PII: 56

Researcher Affiliations

Henneke, Christina
    Jespersen, Anna
      Jacobsen, Stine
        Nielsen, Martin K
          McEvoy, Fintan
            Jensen, Henrik E

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / parasitology
              • Horse Diseases / transmission
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Rhabditida / isolation & purification
              • Rhabditida Infections / parasitology
              • Rhabditida Infections / transmission
              • Rhabditida Infections / veterinary

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              This article includes 17 references
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              Citations

              This article has been cited 5 times.
              1. Pillai VV, Mudd LJ, Sola MF. Disseminated Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in a horse.. J Vet Diagn Invest 2023 Mar;35(2):173-177.
                doi: 10.1177/10406387221141698pubmed: 36482716google scholar: lookup
              2. Onyiche TE, Okute TO, Oseni OS, Okoro DO, Biu AA, Mbaya AW. Parasitic and zoonotic meningoencephalitis in humans and equids: Current knowledge and the role of Halicephalobus gingivalis.. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2018 Feb;3(1):36-42.
                doi: 10.1016/j.parepi.2017.12.002pubmed: 29774297google scholar: lookup
              3. Pintore MD, Cerutti F, D'Angelo A, Corona C, Gazzuola P, Masoero L, Colombo C, Bona R, Cantile C, Peletto S, Casalone C, Iulini B. Isolation and molecular characterisation of Halicephalobus gingivalis in the brain of a horse in Piedmont, Italy.. Parasit Vectors 2017 Mar 7;10(1):135.
                doi: 10.1186/s13071-017-2070-3pubmed: 28270191google scholar: lookup
              4. Taulescu MA, Ionicã AM, Diugan E, Pavaloiu A, Cora R, Amorim I, Catoi C, Roccabianca P. First report of fatal systemic Halicephalobus gingivalis infection in two Lipizzaner horses from Romania: clinical, pathological, and molecular characterization.. Parasitol Res 2016 Mar;115(3):1097-103.
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