Neuropath

Question 1

T/F. Halicephalobus gingivalis is a nematode restricted to European northern countries.

Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis

Answer 1

False, it is widespread geographically.

Question 2

The most commonly affected organs are:
a) Smooth muscle and CNS.
b) Liver, spleen and kidneys.
c) Oral or nasal cavities and adrenal glands.
d) c and CNS, kidneys and lymph nodes.

Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis

Answer 2

d) Oral and nasal cavities, adrenal glands, CNS, kidneys and lymph nodes.

Question 3

What is the prognosis for horses infected with H. gingivalis in the CNS? Good with treatment / guarded / fatal.

Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis

Answer 3

Fatal.

Since it’s generally only diagnosed postmortem, unclear how commonly nonfatal infections occur.

Question 4

T/F. Halicephalobus gingivalis is a parthenogenic nematode.

Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis

Answer 4

True!

It also has a characteristic rhabditiform oesophagus, bc it belongs to the order Rhabditida.

Question 5

Histological examination in horses infected with H. gingivalis can reveal:
a) Gram-positive intracellular rod-shaped bacteria.
b) Negri bodies.
c) Presence of nematodes and mild mononuclear inflammatory cells.
d) Eosinophilic infiltrates.

Fatal infection in two Icelandic stallions caused by Halicephalobus gingivalis

Answer 5

c) Nematodes and mild mononuclear inflammatory cells.

a) is for Listeria monocytogenes and b) is for rabies!

Reactive changes were very mild in the 2 cases reported in the study. Multifocal malacia also observed.