title: Clinical and histopathologic characterization of a central and peripheral axonopathy in Rouge-des-prés (Maine Anjou) calves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, a progressive pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis leading invariably to recumbency has been reported in Rouge-des-prés calves.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the clinical and pathological findings of this newly reported disease and to investigate its potential causes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine calves from 7 different farms were prospectively studied from initial diagnosis through postmortem examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Physical and neurological examinations, blood tests, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and myelographic examinations were performed. Neuropathology was carried out on both central and peripheral nervous systems. Copper deficiency and organophosphate intoxication also were investigated. Pedigrees were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age of onset varied from 2 to 6 weeks. Initial signs included pelvic limb ataxia and paraparesis. The neurological signs systematically progressed, over a 1-3-month period, to severe pelvic limb and truncal ataxia along with moderate paraparesis, leading to permanent recumbency. Animals remained alert. Cranial nerve function was normal. Muscle atrophy was not observed and spinal reflexes were normal. Blood tests, CSF analysis, and myelographic examination did not identify any abnormality. Neuropathology indicated neuronal fiber degeneration particularly in the dorsolateral and ventromedial funiculi of the spinal cord and in the peripheral nerves. Degenerative lesions also were observed in lateral vestibular and thoracic nuclei. No environmental factors such as copper deficiency or organophosphate intoxication could be incriminated as the cause of this axonopathy. Pedigree analysis suggested an inherited defect.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The first description of a central and peripheral axonopathy is reported in Rouge-des-prés calves. An inherited defect is highly suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Farm Animal Health and Public Health, ONIRIS, Nantes, France. edouard.timsit@oniris-nantes.fr
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Timsit
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Albaric
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Colle
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Costiou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cesbron
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bareille
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assié
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001369:Axons / Q000473:pathology*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010375:Pedigree; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology*