Meningitis and Encephalomyelitis in Horses

Pellegrini-Masini, Alessandra; Livesey, L.

doi:10.1016/j.cveq.2006.03.003

Cited by 23 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 144 publications

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“…The most commonly described findings in foals with bacterial meningoencephalitis are lethargy, weakness, fever, cervical pain, blindness and, in advanced cases, seizures and coma (Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006; Furr 2008). Regarding laboratory tests, reported findings include FTPI, neutrophilia and hyperfibrinogenaemia, as well as pleocytosis and increased TP in the CSF (Moore 1995; Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006). In this retrospective study, the main clinical findings in foals with bacterial meningoencephalitis were altered mental status, recumbency, altered pupillary light reflexes and decreased suckling reflex.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2006) or abscessation (Smith et al . 2004; Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006), and Rhodococcus equi abscessation (Janicek et al . 2006) have also been reported in young horses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The most frequently reported primary signs in foals with bacterial meningoencephalitis are hyperaesthesia, neck stiffness, muscle tremors, somnolence, seizures and blindness. Bacterial meningoencephalitis is also associated with fever and sluggish suckling reflex in newborn foals (Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006; Mayhew 2009). Some of these signs were not observed or were anecdotal in the foals reported herein (i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Neutrophilic pleocytosis and increased TP are the most commonly reported findings in the CSF of horses with infectious meningitis, although cases with normal CSF cell counts have been described (Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006). In the present study, 3 foals had slight increases in CSF TNCC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2007). Reported clinical signs of bacterial meningoencephalitis, such as lethargy, weakness, fever and seizures (Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006; Furr 2008) are nonspecific and frequently present in other common neonatal diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Clinical findings in 10 foals with bacterial meningoencephalitis

Viu

Monreal

Jose‐Cunilleras

et al. 2012

Equine Veterinary Journal

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SummaryReasons for performing the study: Bacterial meningoencephalitis is a severe complication in septic foals and there is scarce and often unclear information in the equine literature. Objectives: To report the most frequent clinical signs, clinicopathological findings, causative agents, treatments given and outcome of a group of foals with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis. Methods: Foals aged <6 months of age admitted to the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (2004Barcelona ( -2009) with confirmed bacterial meningoencephalitis were retrospectively included in the study. Diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis was made by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture, CSF analysis consistent with bacterial infection, observation of bacteria in CSF cytology or post mortem confirmation. Results: Nine neonates and one 5-month-old foal were included. The most frequently observed clinical signs were alterations in mental status (10/10), recumbency (8/10), weakness (8/10), abnormal pupillary light reflexes (6/10), decreased suckling-reflex (6/9), seizures and/or nystagmus (4/10). Common clinicopathological alterations included hyperfibrinogenaemia (8/9), hyperlactataemia (7/7), and neutropenia (5/10) or neutrophilia (5/10). Most neonates (8/9) developed bacterial meningoencephalitis despite having a sepsis score near the cut-off value (median = 12). On CSF analysis, pleocytosis (9/9), increased total protein concentration (5/6) and intracellular bacteria (6/9) were detected. The most frequently isolated bacterium was Escherichia coli. Once bacterial meningoencephalitis was diagnosed, antimicrobial therapy was switched to third and fourth generation cephalosporins. Conclusions:The diagnosis of bacterial meningoencephalitis is established based on CSF analysis and culture. Clinical recognition of bacterial meningoencephalitis is difficult and can be easily overlooked. Moreover, severe sepsis is not necessary to develop bacterial meningoencephalitis.Potential relevance: CSF analysis should be considered more often in sick newborn foals with signs indicative of central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology and culture would help to confirm or rule out unnoticed bacterial meningoencephalitis, and to choose appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2006) or abscessation (Smith et al . 2004; Pellegrini‐Masini and Livesey 2006), and Rhodococcus equi abscessation (Janicek et al . 2006) have also been reported in young horses.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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