Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Characterization of a Sarcocystis neurona isolate (SN6) from a naturally infected horse from Oregon.
- Journal:
- The Journal of eukaryotic microbiology
- Year:
- 1999
- Authors:
- Dubey, J P et al.
- Affiliation:
- United States Department of Agriculture · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Researchers studied a parasite called Sarcocystis neurona, which was taken from the spinal cord of a horse in Oregon that showed signs of neurological problems. They grew the parasite in lab cultures using cells from cows and horses, and it multiplied quickly. When they tested the parasite on special mice that lack a certain immune response, the mice became sick about a month later, and the researchers found the parasite in their brains. The findings confirmed that the parasite was indeed Sarcocystis neurona. Overall, the study successfully identified and confirmed the presence of this parasite in the horse and the mice.
Abstract
An isolate of Sarcocystis neurona (SN6) was obtained from the spinal cord of a horse from Oregon with neurologic signs. The parasite was isolated in cultures of bovine monocytes and equine spleen cells. The parasite divided by endopolygeny and completed at least one asexual cycle in cell cultures in three days. Two gamma interferon knockout mice inoculated with cell culture-derived merozoites became ill 35 d later and S. neurona schizonts and merozoites were found in encephalitic lesions. The parasite in tissue sections of mice reacted with S. neurona-specific antibodies and S. neurona was reisolated from the brain of knockout mice.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10519218/