Occurrence of leukoencephalomalacia in equids in São Paulo state, Brazil: anatomopathological findings

Authors

  • Cláudia Del Fava Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Maria do Carmo Custódio Souza Hunold Lara Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Eliana Monteforte Cassaro Villalobos Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Alessandra Figueiredo de Castro Nassar Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Aline Diniz Cabral Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Camila Souza Torelli Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Mariana Sequetin Cunha Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP
  • Elenice Maria Sequetin Cunha Instituto Biológico, Centro de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento de Sanidade Animal, São Paulo, SP

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2010.26812

Keywords:

Leukoencephalomalacia, Equids, Diferencial diagnosis, Gross lesions, Histopathology

Abstract

This article describes clinical and pathological findings of leukoencephalomalacia in equids with neurological signs which tested negative to rabies, equine herpesvirus and equine encephalomyelitis. This work was carried during the period of two years in São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 67 brain samples were examined and in 10.4% (five equines, one poney, and one donkey) were observed gross lesions of ELEM, confirmed by histopathological analysis. The animals were five males and two females ranged from 11 months to nine years old. The seven cases happened in all seasons of the year. The most characteristic clinical signs were incoordination, ataxia, paralysis of the hind legs, profound depression and death. Necropsy was performed to collect brain samples for virological and histopathological diagnosis. Gross lesions included congestion of meningeal blood vessels, malacia of the white matter characterized by yellowish depressed areas sometimes hemorrhagic, with cavitations, and softening surrounded by hyperemic area. Microscopically, the lesions were liquefactive necrosis of the white matter brain, characterized by eosinophilic and amorphous material, axonal and perivascular edema, hemorrhage and vacuolization of the neuropil and axonal sferoids. Gitter cells were seen in some areas of malacia. Perivascular mononuclear cuffing was observed in only one case. The present study confirms that differential diagnosis is very important to distinguish equid neuropathies. The occurence of ELEM in the present study shows that the disease is important for the equideoculture in São Paulo State.

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

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UNDEFINIED

How to Cite

Occurrence of leukoencephalomalacia in equids in São Paulo state, Brazil: anatomopathological findings. (2010). Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Research and Animal Science, 47(6), 488-494. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1678-4456.bjvras.2010.26812