Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Verminous encephalitis in a horse produced by nematodes in the family protostrongylidae.
- Journal:
- Veterinary pathology
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Tanabe, M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Antech Diagnostics · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old Arabian colt from New York was found to have a serious infection in his brain caused by parasitic worms. These worms, which belong to a group called Protostrongylidae, were causing inflammation in the colt's central nervous system. The presence of worm eggs and larvae in the brain confirmed the infection. This case is significant because it is the first time such an infection has been definitively reported in a horse.
Abstract
Parasitic granulomatous eosinophilic inflammation was observed in the central nervous system (CNS) of a 6-month-old Arabian colt from New York state. Inflammation was associated with eggs, larvae, and adult nematodes in the cerebellum. Nematodes had histological characteristics of the superfamily Metastrongyloidea. The presence of dorsal-spined larvae in the CNS was further indicative of infection with a nematode in the family Protostrongylidae. Infections were most compatible with Parelaphostrongylus tenuis but specific diagnosis was not possible. This is the first definitive report of a protostrongylid nematode infection in a horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17197637/