title: Eosinophilic encephalomyelitis in horses caused by protostrongylid parasites.
abstract: Four thoroughbred horses showing lameness, ataxia, circling, depression, recumbency, and seizures, were examined. The horses had gross, pale- to dark-red manifestations and foci in the central nervous system (CNS). Multifocal to coalescing eosinophilic necrotizing encephalomyelitis was observed histologically in the CNS along with intact or degenerated nematodes. Nematodes had polymyarian-coelomyarian musculature, a smooth thin cuticle, and intestines lined by multinucleated cells with microvilli. These traits suggested the nematodes belonged to the family Protostrongylidae, which includesParelaphostrongylus tenuis. It was concluded that the horses were infected by nematodes, presumablyParelaphostrongylus tenuis, resulting in eosinophilic necrotizing encephalomyelitis.
authors.affiliation: College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Jung
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Bak
authors.affiliation: Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon 39660, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-Hwa
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Jean
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Histopathology, Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Korea.
authors.forename: Gye-Hyeong
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Woo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004679:Encephalomyelitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D008681:Metastrongyloidea / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D056910:Republic of Korea
keywords: Parelaphostrongylus tenuis; central nervous system; encephalomyelitis; horses; nematode