Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ataxia in four horses with equine infectious anemia.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1982
- Authors:
- McClure, J J et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study involving four horses diagnosed with equine infectious anemia (EIA), the main issue observed was ataxia, which means they had trouble coordinating their movements. Along with this, the horses showed other signs like weight loss, low red blood cell counts, fever, low platelet counts, bleeding, and increased levels of certain proteins in their blood. Neurological examinations revealed inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. In two of the horses, the neurological symptoms appeared during the early stage of the infection, while in one horse, they developed at least 18 months after the initial infection. The treatment and management of these horses were not detailed, but the findings suggest that the neurological issues were linked to the EIA infection.
Abstract
In 4 horses with equine infectious anemia (EIA), the predominant clinical sign was ataxia. Other clinical and laboratory findings often associated with EIA included weight loss, anemia, pyrexia, thrombocytopenia, hemorrhages, hypergammaglobulinemia, and high activity of biliary epithelial enzymes. Neuropathologic findings were nonsuppurative granulomatous ependymitis, meningitis, and encephalomyelitis and plasmacytic-lymphocytic infiltration of the brain and spinal cord. The onset of neurologic signs corresponded to the acute stage of infection in at least 2 horses, and the signs developed at least 18 months after infection in 1 case. Cerebrospinal fluid from 3 of the horses contained high concentration of protein and white cells, although changes in 1 horse may have been associated with a prior traumatic attempt to collect CSF. By comparison, CSF from 3 ponies inapparently infected with EIA was normal. Active production of anti-EIA antibody in the CSF was suspected on the basis of serologic findings.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7056676/