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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (view source)
Revision as of 20:56, 8 July 2010
, 20:56, 8 July 2010→Diagnosis
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis:
Postmortem diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of protozoa in CNS lesions. An immunoblot (Western blot) test for S neurona is used as an aid to antemortem diagnosis. In horses with neurologic signs, demonstration of specific antibody in CSF (by immunoblot) is highly suggestive of EPM. A positive immunoblot test in serum only indicates exposure to S neurona . Conversely, a negative immunoblot result, in either serum or CSF, tends to exclude the diagnosis of EPM. In a few horses with EPM, CSF analysis reveals abnormalities such as mononuclear pleocytosis and increased protein concentration.
Postmortem diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of protozoa in CNS lesions. An immunoblot (Western blot) test for S neurona is used as an aid to antemortem diagnosis. In horses with neurologic signs, demonstration of specific antibody in CSF (by immunoblot) is highly suggestive of EPM. A positive immunoblot test in serum only indicates exposure to S neurona . Conversely, a negative immunoblot result, in either serum or CSF, tends to exclude the diagnosis of EPM. In a few horses with EPM, CSF analysis reveals abnormalities such as mononuclear pleocytosis and increased protein concentration.
Depending on the clinical signs, differential diagnoses may include cervical stenotic myelopathy, trauma, aberrant metazoan parasite migration, equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpesvirus 1, equine motor neuron disease, neuritis of the cauda equina, arboviral (Eastern or Western equine, West Nile) encephalomyelitis, rabies, bacterial meningitis, and leukoencephalomalacia.
Depending on the clinical signs, differential diagnoses may include cervical stenotic myelopathy, trauma, aberrant metazoan parasite migration, equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy, myeloencephalopathy caused by equine herpesvirus 1, equine motor neuron disease, neuritis of the cauda equina, arboviral (Eastern or Western equine, West Nile) encephalomyelitis, rabies, bacterial meningitis, and leukoencephalomalacia.
====Differential Diagnoses====
Includes virtually all diseases of the CNS
Cervical compression (usually symmetrcial gait deficits, worse in pelvic limbs with spasticity and hypermetria, with good retention of strensght and no muscle wasting)
Follwoibng usually systmeically ill with fevers and changes in leukogram:
WNV encephalitis - CSF abnormal
EEE - CSF abnromal
WEE
Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV) - dysuria
Multifocal diease, ataxia and muscle atrphy also found iwth:
Polyneuritis equi
Equine degenrative encephalomyelitis
Changes in leukogram and CSF seen with:
Verminous encephaltiis
Bacterial meningitis
CNS abscessation
====History====
====History====
Usually an insidious onset ataxia, but the presentation may be acute and severe.
Usually an insidious onset ataxia, but the presentation may be acute and severe.