Neuropathology and Infectious Diseases of the CNS Flashcards
What virus can cause cerebellar hypoplasia in kittens?
Feline panleukopenia virus
What virus can cause cerebellar hypoplasia in calves and lambs?
Pestiviruses - BVDV in calves, Border disease virus/Bluetongue in lambs
What is the pathogenesis of feline panleukopenia virus?
Targets rapidly dividing cells causing vomitting, diarrhoea and reduces WBC counts in adult cats
What pathogen causes FIP in cats?
Coronavirus
How do you confirm rabies diagnosis in a laboratory?
Immunofluorescence assay
PCR of fresh brain
In which countries is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis seen?
USA and South America
What is the pathogenesis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis?
Cycles between birds and opossums
Horses acquire infection through faecal contamination of pasture or feed but isn’t transmitted from horse to horse
Diffuse, multifocal, asymmetric non-suppurative, inflammatory lesion of spinal cord affecting grey and white matter
What are the clinical signs of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis?
Insidious/sudden onset
Highly variable, can mimic most other neurological diseases
Asymmetric
Ataxia
How is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis diagnosed?
CSF occasionally has mild mononuclear pleocytosis
Western immunoblot for S. neurona antibodies
What is the treatment for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis?
Inhibitors of folate metabolism such as sulphadiazine/pyrimethamine
Coccidiostat - ponazuril
NSAIDs if animal is deteriorating
DMSO (dimethylsulphoxoid) which is a free radical scavenger
Steroids
What is the prognosis for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis?
Guarded to poor especially for severely affected animals
Muscle atrophy is permanent but ataxia can improve
What are the characteristics of Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy?
Variety of breeds
Clusters on certain farms
Presenting signs at 6 months-2 years
Rare
What are the clinical signs of Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy?
Symmetric ataxia, weakness
Hindlimbs affected more than forelimbs
Hyporeflexia over trunk, sometimes panniculus reflex reduced/absent
What is the pathology of Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy?
Predominantly white matter tracts
Mid thoracic region often worst affected
Degenerative lesions in spinal and brain stem nuclei
Vit E deficiency? causing secondary free radical induced neuronal damage? familial predisposition?
How is Equine Degenerative Myelopencephalopathy diagnosed?
Rule out other diseases
Measure Vit E plasma concentration
Usually made at PM
