title: Cerebrospinal fluid changes in two horses with central nervous system nematodiasis (Micronema deletrix).
abstract: Two horses with cerebrospinal nematodiasis (Micronema deletrix) had signs similar to those of other neurologic diseases resulting from parasitic (fly larvae, protozoa, or other helminths) migration through the central nervous system (CNS). In one horse (horse 1), a 13-year-old Paso Fino stallion, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was slightly xanthochromic (1+), with a pleocytosis (25 nucleated cells/microliter) and a normal protein level (69 mg/dl). A CSF differential cell count showed 15% neutrophils, 56% lymphocytes, 22% macrophages, 5% eosinophils, and 2% basophils. In the other horse (horse 2), a 19-year-old Tennessee Walking Horse stallion, the CSF was modestly xanthochromic (2+), with pleocytosis (81 nucleated cells/microliter) and a modestly elevated protein concentration (114 mg/dl). A CSF differential cell count showed 9% neutrophils, 41% lymphocytes, and 50% macrophages. The CSF changes were consistent with those described for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis and verminous encephalitis. The microscopic lesions in both brains contained multifocal areas of malacia and granulomatous inflammation. Meningeal vessels throughout the brain were greatly thickened and inflamed, and they contained parasites. The CSF changes were not specific and histopathologic examination was required for a definitive diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens.
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Darien
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Belknap
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nietfeld
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D009348:Nematoda / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*