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Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (view source)
Revision as of 22:24, 14 July 2010
, 22:24, 14 July 2010→Clinical signs
Typically normal, although focal muscle atrophy may be observed.
Typically normal, although focal muscle atrophy may be observed.
====Clinical signs====
====Clinical signs====
Gait abnormlaitiy (peracute or acute) - 1 or all 4 limbs depending on wehre migrates, asymmetricasl (because multifocal), ataxia, pareiss & spasticity - knuckling, circumduction, crossing oiver, teraparesis - areflexia, hyporefelxia (LMN) or hyperreflexia (UMN) dependng on site of lesion, muscle atrophy of individual muscle groups, localized areas of sensory deficits, 'strip sweating' localized areas (dermatomes, sympathetic whitematter tracts), cerebellar, brain stem (less ocmmon) or cerebral signs, crnaial nn - head titl, facial paralysis, circling, nystagmus, dysphagia, blindness with or without abnral pupillary refelxes, untreated progressive to recumbency in 14days to 6mths (Pasq)
The protozoa can cause lesions sporadically in any part of the CNS which makes the clinical presentation highly variable. The three characteristic 'As' of EPM (ataxia, asymmetry, atrophy) suggest multifocal or diffuse disease, but are not pathognomonic. It has been suggested that rapidly progressive presentations reflect brainstem lesions. Spinal cord signs are most commonly seen and may include:
The protozoa can cause lesions sporadically in any part of the CNS which makes the clinical presentation highly variable. The three characteristic 'As' of EPM (ataxia, asymmetry, atrophy) suggest multifocal or diffuse disease, but are not pathognomonic. It has been suggested that rapidly progressive presentations reflect brainstem lesions. Spinal cord signs are most commonly seen and may include:
*asymmetric or symmetric paresis, spasticity and ataxia of one to four limbs
*asymmetric or symmetric paresis, spasticity and ataxia of one to four limbs