West Nile Encephalitis Flashcards
Describe the virus responsible for West Nile Encephalitis
Single stranded, RNA
Flavivirus
How does the West Nile virus cause disease
It causes diffuse or multifocal poliencephalomyelitis
Vector for West Nile Virus
Mosquito: Culex spp
ID and name the disease it transmits
Culex spp (mosquito)
West Nile Virus
Risk factors for West Nile Encephalitis
Endemic areas with poor mosquito control programs
Vaccination status
Turnout during dawn and dusk
History:
Depression an anorexia with ataxia and some of the following
tremors and muscle fasiculations
droopy lip
Weakness
West Nile Encephalitis
Confirmatory diagnosis of WNV
West Nile virus immunoglobulin M capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay from CSF / serum
Virus isolation from whole blood / serum
PM: Reverse transcriptase PCR of CNS tissue / immunohisotchemistry / histopath
DD’s for WNV
Rabies
Botulism
Equine protozoan myeloencephalitis
Equine herpesvirus myelopathy
Equine degenerative myelopathy
Acute general treatment of WNV
NSAID’s (flunixin meglumine 1.1mg/kg IV q12)
Mannitol (0.25 - 2 g/kg IV q24) & DMSO - reduce cerebral oedema and spinal cord swelling
IV fluids
Antibiotics for secondary infections
Interferon - alpha
Recommendations to prevent West Nile Encephalitis
Reduce mosquito breeding sites - eliminate areas of standing water
Stable horses in insect-proof facilities
Avoid lights in the stables
Insect repellents
Give the most likely dagnosis
During summer months in subtropical area with lots of standing water.
List the most likely clinical signs you might see with this disease
West Nile Encephalitis
Ataxia / weakness
Hind limb paralysis / Difficult to rise
Drooping lip
Hyperexcitability
Tremors / muscle fasiculations
