An update on Sarcocystis neurona infections in animals and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM).
Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a serious disease of horses, and its management continues to be a challenge for veterinarians. The protozoan Sarcocystis neurona is most commonly associated with EPM. S. neurona has emerged as a common cause of mortality in marine mammals, especially sea otters (Enhydra lutris). EPM-like illness has also been recorded in several other mammals, including domestic dogs and cats. This paper updates S. neurona and EPM information from the last 15 years on the advances regarding life cycle, molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical signs, diagnosis, treatment and control.
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350, USA. Electronic address: Jitender.dubey@ars.usda.gov.
J P
JP
Dubey
M.H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0099, USA.
D K
DK
Howe
Marion du Pont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, 17690 Old Waterford Road, Leesburg, VA 20176, USA.
M
M
Furr
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
W J
WJ
Saville
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, The Ohio State University, 1920 Coffey Road, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
A E
AE
Marsh
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.
S M
SM
Reed
Molecular Parasitology Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Allergy, and Infectious Diseases, 4 Center Drive, Room B1-06, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
M E
ME
Grigg
D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology; D012522:Sarcocystis / Q000145:classification*; D012523:Sarcocystosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents
Epidemiology; Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis; Life cycle; Marine mammals; Prevention; Sarcocystis neurona