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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis

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Also known as: EPM

Equine protozoal myelitis


Description

A progressive, infectious,[1]neurological disease of horses, endemic in the USA[2] and only encountered elsewhere in imported equids.[3] EPM is one of the most frequently diagnosed neurological conditions of the Western Hemisphere[4] and the principal differential for multifocal, asymmetric progressive central nervous system (CNS) disease.[1] As it can resemble any neurological disorder, EPM must be considered in any horse with neurological signs if it resides in the Americas or if it has been imported from that area[2][5] The disease is not contagious.[1]

Aetiology

EPM results from infection of the CNS by the apicomplexan parasite Sarcocystis neurona or, less frequently, its close relative Neospora hughesi.[6][7] These protozoans develop within neurons[4] causing immediate or inflammatory-mediated neuronal damage. The organisms migrate randomly through the brain and spinal cord causing asymmetrical lesions of grey and white matter and thus multifocal lower and upper motor neuron deficits.[1]

Signalment

Mostly Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds aged 1-6years.[1] Foal infection may be possible.[2]

Differential Diagnoses

The protozoan can migrate to any region of the CNS[2], thus the differential list comprises almost all diseases of this system.[4]

Differential Differentiating signs Tests to rule out
Cervical vertebral malformation (CVM, cervical compressive myelopathy, cervical vertebral instability, cervical spondylomyelopathy, Wobbler's syndrome) Symmetrical gait deficits, worse in pelvic limbs[8] with spasticity and dysmetria, good retention of strength, no muscle wasting[4] NB:can be concurrent with EPM.[9] Standing plain lateral radiography of C1 to T1.[9]
WNV encephalitis Systemically ill, pyrexia. Difficult if horse afebrile and has no excessive muscle fasciculations[10] Leukogram, CSF analysis, IgM capture ELISA
WEE Systemically ill, pyrexia, abnormal motor function[10] Leukogram
EEE Systemically ill, pyrexia, abnormal motor functionCite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
Equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy Sudden onset and early stabilization of neuro signs, multiple horses affected, recent fever, abortion[11]dysuria not often seen in EPM. CSF abnormal, PCR[4]
Rabies Rapid progression[12], behavioural alterations, depression, seizure, coma.[10] Post-mortem required for definitive diagnosis.[12]
Polyneuritis equi (previously cauda equina neuritis) Cranial nerve deficits are peripheral with no change in attitude[13] Western blot analysis of CSF[14]
Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy Symmetrical signs[15] May get increased CSF CK[16] and reduced serum Vitamin E concentrations but unreliable ante mortem dx
Verminous encephalomyelitis Acute onset CSF analysis[17]
Bacterial meningoencephalitis Stiff neck[1]
CNS abscessation[4]
Spinal trauma[1] Hx (usually acute onset neurologica signs), usually solitary lesion localised by neurological exam[18] Radiography, myelography, CT, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, CSF analysis, nerve conduction velocities, EMG, transcranial magnetic stimulation.[19]
Occipito-atlanto-axial malformation (OAAM) Deficits develop before 6mths in Arabian horse[20] Radiography
Spinal tumors Signs can usually be localized to one region of the CNS CT, MRI, definitive dx requires cytology, biopsy, histopathology, CSF analysis[21]
Sorghum cystitis/ataxia[1] Posterior ataxia or paresis, cystitis, hx of grazing Sorghum species[22]

Prognosis

Depends on duration and severity of neurological signs[3] but clinical resolution is more likely if the condition is diagnosed and treated early.[2] With standard therapy, involving 6-8months of ponazuzril or pyrimethamine-sulfadiazine (V), there is a recovery rate of around 25% and an improvement in 60-75% of cases.[23] A good prognosis might be expected if there is an improvement in clinical signs within two weeks of commencing anti-protozoal and anti-inflammatory treatment (V). The prognosis will be guarded to poor[1] for a horse with severe irreversible neuronal damage or one that has not been diagnosed or treated appropriately (V).



Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis life cycle.jpg

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis.jpg

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Pasquini, C, Pasquini, S, Woods, P (2005) Guide to Equine Clinics Volume 1: Equine Medicine (Third edition), SUDZ Publishing, 245-250. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "Pasq" defined multiple times with different content
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Gray, L.C, Magdesian, K.G, Sturges, B.K, Madigan, J.E (2001) Suspected protozoal myeloencephalitis in a two-month-old colt. Vet Rec, 149:269-273. Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "EPM8" defined multiple times with different content
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vatistas, N, Mayhew, J (1995) Differential diagnosis of polyneuritis equi. In Practice, Jan, 26-29.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Furr, M (2010) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  5. ↑ DEFRA, The Animal Health Trust, The British Equine Veterinary Association (2009) Surveillance: Equine disease surveillance, April to June 2009, The Vet Rec, Oct 24:489-492.
  6. ↑ Dubey, J.P, Lindsay, D.S, Saville, W.J, Reed, S.M, Granstrom, D.E, Speer, C.A (2001)A review of Sarcocystis neurona and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). Vet Parasitol, 95:89-131. In: Pusterla, N, Wilson, W.D, Conrad, P.A, Barr, B.C, Ferraro, G.L, Daft, B.M, Leutenegger, C.M (2006) Cytokine gene signatures in neural tissue of horses with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis or equine herpes type 1 myeloencephalopathy. Vet Rec, Sep 9:Papers & Articles.
  7. ↑ Wobeser, B.K, Godson, D.L, Rejmanek, D, Dowling, P (2009) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis caused by Neospora hughesi in an adult horse in Saskatchewan. Can Vet J, 50(8):851-3.
  8. ↑ Mayhew, I.G, deLahunta, A, Whitlock, R.H, Krook, L, Tasker, J.B (1978) Spinal cord disease in the horse, Cornell Vet, 68(Suppl 8):110-120. In: Hahn, C.N (2010) Cervical Vertebral Malformation in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Hahn, C.N (2010) Cervical Vertebral Malformation in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Long, M.T (2010) Flavivirus Encephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  11. ↑ Wilson, W.D, Pusterla, N (2010) Equine Herpesvirus-1 Myeloencephalopathy in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sommardahl, C.S (2010) Rabies in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  13. ↑ Scaratt, W.K, Jortner, B.S (1985) Neuritis of the cauda equina in a yearling filly. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet, 7:S197-S202. In: Saville, W.J (2010) Polyneuritis equi in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  14. ↑ Granstrom, D.E, Dubey, J.P, Giles, R.C (1994) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis: biology and epidemiology. In Nakajima, H, Plowright, W, editors: Refereed Proceedings, Newmarket, England, R & W Publications. In: Saville, W.J (2010) Polyneuritis equi in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  15. ↑ Nout, Y.S (2010) Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  16. ↑ Mayhew, I.G, deLahunta, A, Whitlock, R.H, Krook, L, Tasker, J.B (1978) Spinal cord disease in the horse, Cornell Vet, 68(Suppl 8):1-207. In: Nout, Y.S (2010) Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  17. ↑ Jose-Cunilleras, E (2010) Verminous Encephalomyelitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  18. ↑ Smith, P.M, Jeffery, N.D (2005) Spinal shock - comparative aspects and clinical relevance. J Vet Intern Med, 19:788-793. In: Nout, Y.S (2010) Central Nervous System Trauma in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  19. ↑ Nout, Y.S (2010) Central Nervous System Trauma in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  20. ↑ Watson, A.G, Mayhew, I.G (1986) Familial congenital occipitoatlantoaxial malformation (OAAM) in the Arabian horse. Spine, 11:334-339. In: Seino, K.K (2010) Spinal Ataxia in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 3.
  21. ↑ Sellon, D.C (2010) Miscellaneous Neurologic Disorders in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
  22. ↑ Talcott, P (2010) Toxicoses causing signs relating to the urinary system in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 22.
  23. ↑ MacKay, R.J (2006) Equine protozoa myeloencephalitis: treatment, prognosis and prevention. Clin Tech Equine Pract, 5:9-16. In: Furr, M (2010) Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders, Chapter 12.
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