First case report of Sarcocystis neurona-induced equine protozoal myeloencephalitis in Japan.
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis developed in a three-year-old male Thoroughbred racehorse imported from the United States. The animal showed astasia five days after the onset of ataxia. Histopathologically, focal nonpurulent myelitis accompanied by hemorrhage and perivascular infiltration was observed in the fourth and fifth cervical spinal cord. Immunohistochemically, shizonts were occasionally observed and were positive for anti-Sarcocystis neurona (S. neurona) antiserum. S. neurona-specific antibodies were detected in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid by Western blot. This is the first equine protozoal myeloencephalitis case in Japan.
Katayama
Yoshinari
Y
Epizootic Research Station, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Tochigi, Japan.
Wada
Ryuichi
R
Kanemaru
Takumi
T
Sasagawa
Tadao
T
Uchiyama
Takashi
T
Matsumura
Tomio
T
Anzai
Toru
T
D000818:Animals; D020808:Central Nervous System Protozoal Infections / Q000662:veterinary; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D006736:Horses; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology