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Home / Equine Research Bank / ISRN Vet Sci / The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beg...
ISRN veterinary science2012; 2012; 281018; doi: 10.5402/2012/281018

The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beginning to a possible end.

Abstract: Atypical myopathy (AM) is a frequently fatal seasonal pasture myopathy that emerges in Europe. Outbreaks are of an acute and unexpected nature and practitioners should be prepared to handle these critically ill patients. This review retraces the history of AM and describes results of epidemiological investigations that were conducted to raise hypotheses concerning the etiology of this devastating disease as well as to be able to suggest potential preventive measures. Also, clinical studies have contributed to a better definition and recognition of the syndrome, whereas elucidation of the pathological process, identified as a multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), was a great step forward improving medical management of AM and guiding the search for the etiological agent towards toxins that reproduce the identified defect. Treatment plans can be extrapolated from the described clinical signs and metabolic problems, but they remain limited to supportive care until the causative agent has been identified with certainty. Since treatment is still unsuccessful in the majority of cases, the main emphasis is currently still on prevention. This paper aims at being a practical support for equine clinicians dealing with AM and is based on discussion and comparison of the currently available scientific data.
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Publication Date: 2012-11-14 PubMed ID: 23762581PubMed Central: PMC3671727DOI: 10.5402/2012/281018Google 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 article is a comprehensive review of Atypical Myopathy (AM), a devastating and often fatal illness in horses primarily found in Europe. The paper discusses the history, epidemiology, clinical studies, and management strategies pertaining to this disease.

Overview of Atypical Myopathy (AM)

  • The paper focuses on Atypical Myopathy (AM), a common but severe pasture illness in horses that is prevalent in Europe. This disease is characterized by unexpected and acute outbreaks, often resulting in high case fatality rates.
  • The researchers illustrate the historical timeline of AM, providing a chronology of research and an understanding of how knowledge about AM has progressed over time.

Epidemiology and Etiology of AM

  • The researchers discuss various epidemiological studies related to AM. These studies aimed to generate hypotheses about the disease’s cause, helping the scientists understand its transmission patterns and its high incidence in Europe.
  • The actual cause of AM is still not definitively characterized. However, these investigations have suggested that an undefined toxin that causes a specific metabolic disorder, multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD), could be a potential causative agent.

Clinical Studies and Recognition of AM

  • Clinical studies played a significant role in defining and recognizing the symptoms of AM among affected horses. The article reviews these studies and discusses them in the context of clinical practice.
  • The identification of the metabolic disorder, MADD, associated with AM was a significant breakthrough in the field. This discovery increased our understanding of the pathological process underlying the disease and has guided subsequent research towards finding the toxin that causes this metabolic disorder.

Treatment and Prevention Strategies

  • Given that the causative agent of AM is not definitively known, treatment mainly focuses on supportive care, managing the clinical signs, and addressing the metabolic problems associated with the disease.
  • Most attempts at treating AM remain largely unsuccessful, which underscores the importance of disease prevention. The review also discusses the current emphasis on prevention strategies, considering that managing the disease post-infection remains a considerable challenge.

The Paper’s Objective

  • Through tracking the history and progress made in studying AM, the paper aims to act as a useful resource for equine practitioners dealing with AM. It offers a holistic view of current scientific knowledge on the disease, facilitating a better understanding of AM and informing future research and clinical practices.

Cite This Article

APA
Votion DM. (2012). The story of equine atypical myopathy: a review from the beginning to a possible end. ISRN Vet Sci, 2012, 281018. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/281018

Publication

ISRN veterinary science
ISSN: 2090-4452
NlmUniqueID: 101568322
Country: Egypt
Language: English
Volume: 2012
Pages: 281018

Researcher Affiliations

Votion, Dominique-Marie
  • Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, Boulevard de Colonster 20 B41, 4000 Liege, Belgium.

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Citations

This article has been cited 4 times.
  1. González-Medina S, Hyde C, Chang YM, Piercy RJ. Assessment of tree-associated atypical myopathy risk factors in Acer pseudoplatanus (sycamore) seeds and leaves. Equine Vet J 2025 Nov;57(6):1656-1665.
    doi: 10.1111/evj.14475pubmed: 39865342google scholar: lookup
  2. Engel AM, El-Khatib AH, Klevenhusen F, Weiss M, Aboling S, Sachse B, Schäfer B, Weigel S, Pieper R, Fischer-Tenhagen C. Detection of Hypoglycin A and MCPrG Metabolites in the Milk and Urine of Pasture Dairy Cows after Intake of Sycamore Seedlings. J Agric Food Chem 2023 Jul 19;71(28):10751-10760.
    doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c01248pubmed: 37419492google scholar: lookup
  3. González-Medina S, Bevin W, Alzola-Domingo R, Chang YM, Piercy RJ. Hypoglycin A absorption in sheep without concurrent clinical or biochemical evidence of disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Mar;35(2):1170-1176.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16077pubmed: 33675130google scholar: lookup
  4. Wimmer-Scherr C, Taminiau B, Renaud B, van Loon G, Palmers K, Votion D, Amory H, Daube G, Cesarini C. Comparison of Fecal Microbiota of Horses Suffering from Atypical Myopathy and Healthy Co-Grazers. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 15;11(2).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11020506pubmed: 33672034google scholar: lookup
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