A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine revealed that equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), caused by two different parasites, is widespread throughout the United States. The single-celled protozoal parasiteSarcocystis neurona which is shed in the feces of opossums is the most commonly recognized cause of this neurological disease in horses. However, this study found evidence that Neospora hughesi, the other EPM-causing parasite, first identified in California, is now being identified in horses across the United States. After obtaining a total of 3,123 diagnostic submissions from 49 states, UC Davis determined that horses from 42 states were affected by parasites causing EPM. Horses in 24 states tested positive for antibodies againstNeospora hughesi and Sarcocystis neurona. Horses from 17 states tested positive for antibodies against Sarcocystis neurona only, while horses in one state tested positive for antibodies against Neospora hughesi only. As these results show a widespread distribution of the parasites causing EPM, horse owners and practitioners should test EPM-suspect horses for antibodies against both parasites.
"This study returned positive results from more states than we originally thought," said UC Davis' Dr. Nicola Pusterla, lead researcher on the study. "As the recognized geographic spread of Neospora hughesi infections expands, we are encouraging horse owners about the benefits of the advanced tests available at UC Davis to more accurately diagnose the disease. Overall, we had not been satisfied with the standard testing available, so we have spent the past decade developing and successfully validating an improved diagnostic tool for EPM."
"This study returned positive results from more states than we originally thought," said UC Davis' Dr. Nicola Pusterla, lead researcher on the study. "As the recognized geographic spread of Neospora hughesi infections expands, we are encouraging horse owners about the benefits of the advanced tests available at UC Davis to more accurately diagnose the disease. Overall, we had not been satisfied with the standard testing available, so we have spent the past decade developing and successfully validating an improved diagnostic tool for EPM."
The SarcoFluor™ and NeoFluor™ tests created by UC Davis are immunofluorescent antibody tests for both of the known causative agents of EPM (Sarcocystis neurona and Neospora hughesi). These tests provide a quantitative indication of EPM infection and provide greater sensitivity and specificity than the Western immunoblot test on serum samples. UC Davis' tests also reduce the necessity to obtain cerebrospinal fluid in order to screen for antibodies against the two protozoal agents.
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