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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (view source)
Revision as of 13:13, 15 July 2010
, 13:13, 15 July 2010no edit summary
====Description====
====Description====
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis is caused by the protozoan
Sarcocystis neurona and has only been seen in the
UK in horses imported from the Americas. S neurona produces
signs relating to diffuse, focal and multifocal lesions
of the white and grey matter of the spinal cord and brain.
Horses may present with ataxia or paresis of one or more
limbs, manifest as stumbling, falling, knuckling and toe
dragging. Sacrococcygeal involvement can result in signs
of involvement of the cauda equina, thus mimicking
polyneuritis equi. In addition, signs relating to involvement
of the cranial nerves may be evident, producing signs such
as loss of tongue tone, loss of sensation to the face and unilateral
facial paralysis. With brain involvement, dysphagia,
circling, head tilt or recumbency may be noted.
At present, diagnosis is based on clinical signs and a
previous history of importation from the Americas. With
the recent isolation of the causative organism, laboratory
diagnostic tests on serum and spinal fluid will become
available in the future. Treatment involves the administration
of trimethoprim/sulphadiazine (15 mg/kg orally
twice daily) in combination with pyrimethamine (0-25
mg/kg orally once daily), both for at least six weeks. The
prognosis is dependent on the severity and duration of
neurological signs.(EPM 3)
EQUINE protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a progressive
EQUINE protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a progressive