Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System Flashcards
What is the most frequent etiology of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis? What other microorganism can cause it? Where is this disease most common?
Sarcocystic neurona - obligate intracellular Apicomplexa
Neospora hughesi
USA —> NA opossums!
What are environmental/management, horse, and parasite risk factors that increase likelihood of EPM development?
stress, season, housing, food, region
use/breed, age, number, immunity
type, number
What is the lifecycle of Sarcocystis neurona like?
3 hosts
- DH - opossum
- IH - raccoons, house, armadillos, skunks
- aberrant hosts - horse ingestion of contaminated food or water with opossum feces
What is the suspected Neospora hughesi lifecycle?
indirect (2 hosts)
- DH - carnivores (dogs?)
- IH - ungulates (horses?) due to ingestion of contaminated food/water
What is the pathogenesis of EPM?
- inflammation
- neuronal necrosis
- lack of clearance from CNS
What 2 macroscopic lesions are seen with EPM? Where is this most commonly found?
- multifocal hemorrhage
- foci of malacia and discoloration
gray and white matter of the spinal cord and brainstem
What 3 microscopic lesions are seen with EPM?
- parasite observed
- diffuse nonsuppurative inflammation and necrosis
- perivascular infiltration of mononuclear cells
What are the most common signs seen with EPM?
STALL —> the great imposter
- stumbling or tripping
- tilted head
- asymmetrical muscle loss
- lameness
- leaning against walls
(AAA —> ataxia, asymmetry, atrophy)
What is the best antemortem diagnostic for EPM? What allows for definitive diagnosis?
positive serum/CSF ratio (intrathecal Ab) - many will be seropositive due to exposure, a negative is a good rule out
post-mortem examination (micro and macroscopic)
What are the 3 FDA-approved EPM treatments?
- Sulfonamide/Pyrimethamine
- Ponazuril (triazine antiprotozoal)
- Diclazuril (triazine antiprotozoal)
What form is Sulfadiazine/Pyrimethamine available in? What is its mechanism of action?
oral suspension - ReBalance
inhibits tetrahydrofolate synthesis
What is the duration of treatment of EPM with Sulfadiazine/Pyrimethamine? How is it offered with the diet?
90-270 days
withhold hay 2 hours before and after
What 3 adverse reactions are associated with Sulfadiazine/Pyrimethamine?
- anorexia
- intestinal issues
- bone marrow suppression
What formulation of Ponazuril is available? What is its mechanism of action?
oral paste - Marquis
acts on chloroplast-related material
What is the dose of Ponazuril like? What is the duration of treatment?
loading dose 3x normal dose for a day followed by normal maintenance dose
28 days or until no further improvement - will likely need 4-5 tubes