title: Meningitis, cranial neuritis, and radiculoneuritis associated with Borrelia burgdorferi infection in a horse.
abstract: METHODS
  A 12-year-old Thoroughbred was examined because of signs of depression, neck stiffness, and poor performance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical examination revealed that the horse was dull, appeared depressed, was reluctant to raise its neck and head above a horizontal plane, and had a temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F). No radiographic or scintigraphic abnormalities of the neck were found; however, high plasma fibrinogen concentration and relative lymphopenia were identified and the horse was seropositive for antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi. Analysis of CSF revealed neutrophilic inflammation, and results of a PCR assay of CSF for B burgdorferi DNA were positive. Immunologic testing revealed severe B-cell lymphopenia and a low serum IgM concentration consistent with common variable immunodeficiency.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The horse responded well to do×ycycline treatment (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h for 60 days) and returned to normal exercise. However, 60 days after treatment was discontinued, the horse again developed a stiff neck and rapidly progressive neurologic deficits, including severe ataxia and vestibular deficits. The horse's condition deteriorated rapidly despite IV oxytetracycline treatment, and the horse was euthanatized. Postmortem examination revealed leptomeningitis, lymphohistiocytic leptomeningeal vasculitis, cranial neuritis, and peripheral radiculoneuritis with Wallerian degeneration; findings were consistent with a diagnosis of neuroborreliosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nervous system infection with B burgdorferi should be considered in horses with evidence of meningitis and high or equivocal serum anti-B burgdorferi antibody titers. Evaluation of immune function is recommended in adult horses evaluated because of primary bacterial meningitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania, PA 19348, USA. franjames@donningtongrove.com
authors.forename: Frances M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Julie B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Engiles
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Beech
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D025065:Borrelia burgdorferi; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006736:Horses; D008193:Lyme Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D009443:Neuritis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004318:Doxycycline