Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in various stages. Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a disease that affects the central nervous system of horses. It is caused by a protozoal infection that is brought about by the apicomplexan parasites Sarcocystis neurona or Neospora hughesi. Most cases are caused by S. neurona.
Neospora hughesi is an obligate protozoan apicomplexan parasite that causes myelitis and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) in horses, and has only been documented in North America. [1] EPM is a neurological disease from lesions in the spinal cord , brain stem , or brain from parasites such as N. hughesi or Sarcocystis neurona . [ 2 ]
The protozoan Sarcocystis neurona is a protozoan of single celled character and belongs to the family Sarcocystidae, in a group called coccidia. [1] The protozoan, S. neurona , is a member of the genus Sarcocystis , and is most commonly associated with equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM). [ 2 ]
An acute form of the disease, which is generally fatal unless treated, occurs in horses, donkeys, mules, cattle, buffalo, deer, camels, [2] llamas, dogs, [3] and cats. This form is caused by Trypanosoma evansi (Steel 1885) (Balbiani 1888), and is transmitted by horse-flies , and also by the vampire bat, Desmodus rotundus , in South-America .
Infectious causes affecting the nervous system may be bacterial, viral, protozoal, or rickettsial. Those that commonly alter gait include tetanus, botulism, Lyme disease, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), rabies, West Nile virus, equine encephalitis virus, and equine herpesvirus 1.
T. evansi was a parasite that caused severe, often fatal, infection in mammals such as horses, donkeys, cattle and camels. In India, where it was prevalent from ancient times, the disease was known as surra. [11] Under the British rule, it caused serious impediment to the British Army, as their horses were infected.
Strangles (also called equine distemper) is a contagious upper respiratory tract infection of horses and other equines caused by a Gram-positive bacterium, Streptococcus equi. [1] As a result, the lymph nodes swell, compressing the pharynx , larynx , and trachea , and can cause airway obstruction leading to death, hence the name strangles. [ 2 ]
Due to the severe symptoms associated with the disease, and fatality rate, this condition is of concern for horse owners. If a pregnant mare is infected with N. risticii and has symptoms of PHF, there is a chance that it may cause abortion and lesions in the fetus.