Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
A case of Murray Valley encephalitis in a 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse in south-east Queensland.
- Journal:
- Australian veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2015
- Authors:
- Barton, A J et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Science · Australia
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This case involves a 2-year-old Australian Stock Horse filly in south-east Queensland that developed Murray Valley encephalitis, a viral infection affecting the brain. The filly showed signs of being very tired and weak, and tests confirmed the presence of the virus. Although she initially tested negative for the virus two weeks before showing symptoms, her condition did not improve over the following months, and she continued to have mild facial weakness and coordination issues. Unfortunately, the owners decided to euthanize her, and a post-mortem examination revealed mild inflammation in her brain. This case highlights how Murray Valley encephalitis can progress in horses.
Abstract
CASE REPORT: This report summarises the findings from a case of naturally-occurring Murray Valley encephalitis in a 2-year-old filly presenting with acute onset of depression and weakness. Serum samples tested at the onset of clinical signs were negative for Hendra and Kunjin virus antibodies, but positive for Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) using IgM-capture ELISA (1 : 300 dilution). A virus neutralisation assay performed 4 weeks later confirmed a titre of 1 : 160. Sera collected in the weeks preceding neurological signs returned a negative titre for MVEV 2 weeks prior followed by a titre of 1:80 in the week prior to illness. Serological surveillance conducted on 67 co-located horses returned a positive titre of 1 : 20 in one in-contact horse. There was no history of clinical disease in that horse. At 3 months after the onset of clinical signs in the index case, the filly continued to show mild facial paresis and hypermetria; the owners elected euthanasia and gave permission for necropsy. Histopathological analysis of the brain showed a mild meningoencephalitis. CONCLUSION: The progression of a naturally-occurring MVEV infection in a horse has been documented in this case.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25708787/