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Young AE, Finno CJ. Current insights into equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy. Vet J 2024; 305:106129. [PMID: 38734404 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (eNAD/EDM) is an inherited neurodegenerative disease associated with vitamin E deficiency in the first year of life. It is the second most common cause of spinal ataxia in horses euthanized for neurologic disease. Equine NAD/EDM is characterized by neurologic signs including a symmetric proprioceptive ataxia (> grade 2/5) and a wide-base stance at rest. There are currently no antemortem tests for eNAD/EDM in any breed. Conclusive diagnosis requires postmortem histologic evaluation of the brainstem and spinal cord at necropsy. Research studies on antemortem biomarkers and genetic testing are ongoing. The development of a genetic test for eNAD/EDM would have widespread impact, even if it were breed specific. Currently, the best approach to eNAD/EDM is to focus on preventing cases by providing pregnant mares and foals with access to pasture. Alternatively, dams' diets can be supplemented with high doses of water-soluble RRR-α-tocopherol during the last trimester of gestation, with continued supplementation of foals through the first two years of life. It is important to measure horses' baseline serum vitamin E levels prior to supplementing. While considered generally safe, oversupplementation of vitamin E is possible and can lead to coagulopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy E Young
- Center for Equine Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Center for Equine Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA; Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA.
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Palmisano M, Kulp J, Bender S, Stefanovski D, Robinson M, Johnson A. Measurement of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of horses with neuroaxonal degeneration and other causes of proprioceptive ataxia. J Vet Intern Med 2024; 38:1207-1213. [PMID: 38205913 PMCID: PMC10937501 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Eight-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a biomarker of oxidative damage evaluated in human neurodegenerative disease, has potential to correlate with postmortem diagnosis of neuroaxonal dystrophy/degenerative myeloencephalopathy (NAD/DM) in horses. HYPOTHESIS We hypothesized that 8-OHdG will be higher in CSF and serum from NAD/DM horses compared with horses with other neurologic diseases (CVSM, EPM) and a control group of neurologically normal horses. We also hypothesized that 8-OHdG will be higher in CSF compared with serum from NAD/DM horses. ANIMALS Fifty client-owned horses with postmortem diagnoses: 20 NAD/DM, 10 CVSM, 10 EPM, and 10 control horses. Serum and CSF samples were obtained between November 2010 and March 2022. METHODS Case-control study using biobanked samples was performed and commercial competitive ELISA kit (Highly Sensitive 8-OHdG Check ELISA) utilized. Concentration of 8-OHdG was quantitated in both CSF and serum and compared between groups. RESULTS No correlation was established between the measures of 8-OHdG in serum and CSF and group. CSF median [8-OHdG] for NAD/DM was 169.9 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 67.18-210.6), CVSM 157.1 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 132.1-229.1), EPM 131.4 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 102.1-193.2), and control 149.8 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 113.3-196.4). Serum median [8-OHdG] for NAD/DM was 130 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 51.73-157.2), CVSM 125.8 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 62.8-170.8), EPM 120.6 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 87.23-229.7), and control 157.6 pg/mL (IQR25-75 : 97.15-245.6). Poisson regression analysis showed no difference established once confounding variables were considered. CONCLUSIONS Eight-OHdG did not aid in antemortem diagnosis of NAD/DM in this cohort of horses. At the time of diagnosis horses with NAD/DM do not have ongoing oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan Palmisano
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Jeaneen Kulp
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Susan Bender
- Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Darko Stefanovski
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mary Robinson
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Amy Johnson
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton CenterUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary MedicineKennett SquarePennsylvaniaUSA
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Finno CJ, Johnson AL. Equine Neuroaxonal Dystrophy and Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2022; 38:213-224. [PMID: 35811203 DOI: 10.1016/j.cveq.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroaxonal degenerative disease in the horse is termed equine neuroaxonal dystrophy (eNAD), when pathologic lesions are localized to the brainstem and equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) and degenerative changes extend throughout the spinal cord. Both pathologic conditions result in identical clinical disease, most commonly characterized by the insidious onset of ataxia during early development. However, later onset of clinical signs and additional clinical features, such as behavior changes, is also observed. A definitive diagnosis of eNAD/EDM requires histologic evaluation of the caudal medulla and cervicothoracic spinal cord. Strong evidence has suggested that eNAD/EDM is an inherited disorder and there seems to be a role for vitamin E acting as an environmental modifier to determine the overall severity of the phenotype of horses affected with eNAD/EDM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Finno
- Department of Veterinary Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Room 4206 Vet Med 3A One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Amy L Johnson
- Department of Clinical Studies, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine- New Bolton Center, 382 West Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA
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Szklarz M, Lipinska A, Slowikowska M, Niedzwiedz A, Marycz K, Janeczek M. Comparison of the clinical and radiographic appearance of the cervical vertebrae with histological and anatomical findings in an eight-month old warmblood stallion suffering from cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM). BMC Vet Res 2019; 15:296. [PMID: 31416466 PMCID: PMC6694563 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2047-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM) remains one of the most important abnormalities of the cervical spine resulting in neurological deficits in horses. The aim of the following study was to compare the results of the clinical and neurological examination, the results of myelography and the post mortem anatomical and histological appearance of the spinal cord and cervical vertebrae in a horse with CVSM. CASE PRESENTATION The following study describes a clinical case of an eight-month-old stallion with ataxia. Plain cervical radiographs indicated narrowing of the spinal canal. Conservative therapy using NSAIDs did not result in any improvement in the gait of the horse. Due to economic constraints, surgical intervention was excluded. The owner chose to humanely euthanise the horse. Immediately after euthanasia, post mortem myelography was performed, and measurements of the myelographic dye column were taken. They revealed a 67% DMC reduction and a 64% DD reduction at the C3/C4 level. Afterwards, an anatomical dissection was performed. The cervical vertebrae and vertebral canal were macroscopically inspected and measured and indicated a 44% narrowing of the canal at the C3/C4 level. The spinal cord was removed and underwent histological evaluation after staining. Microscopic lesions were visible at the level of the compression and included axonal degeneration with partial or complete loss of myelin in the white matter of the lateral and dorsal funiculi as well as the formation of dysfunctional so-called "spongy structures". An increase in the number of microglial cells and collagen was also observed. The formation of glial scars was excluded. Immunohistochemical studies revealed a negative transmembrane glycoprotein CD68(-) - monocyte response and a negative tumor necrosis alpha TNFα (-) reaction. CONCLUSIONS CVSM may be difficult to diagnose, even for experienced veterinary surgeons. Currently, an ex vivo histopathologic examination of the spinal cord is thought to be the gold standard in the diagnosis of CVSM. Our histological examination revealed no CVSM-specific glial scar formation and a CD68(-) negative and TNF-α negative reaction, which have not been previously reported. Histological lesions in CVSM may vary depending show inter-individual variability and on the treatment, which further hinders ex-vivo diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Szklarz
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Anna Lipinska
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Malwina Slowikowska
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw Univeristy of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Artur Niedzwiedz
- Department of Internal Diseases with Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw Univeristy of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pl. Grunwaldzki 47, 50-366 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Marycz
- Department of Experimental Biology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Faculty of Biology and Animal Science, ul Norwida 27B, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Maciej Janeczek
- Department of Animal Physiology and Biostructure, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, ul Kozuchowska 1/3, 51-631 Wroclaw, Wrocław, Poland
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Burns EN, Finno CJ. Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy: prevalence, impact, and management. VETERINARY MEDICINE-RESEARCH AND REPORTS 2018; 9:63-67. [PMID: 30234005 PMCID: PMC6135079 DOI: 10.2147/vmrr.s148542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Equine neuroaxonal dystrophy/equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder affecting many horse breeds. Clinical signs include a symmetric ataxia and an abnormal stance at rest, similar to cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, equine protozoal myeloencephalitis, and equine herpesvirus 1 myeloencephalopathy. This review will provide an update on the disease prevalence, management, impact, and ongoing research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin N Burns
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA,
| | - Carrie J Finno
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA,
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Diseases of the Nervous System. Vet Med (Auckl) 2017. [PMCID: PMC7322266 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-7020-5246-0.00014-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Finno CJ, Valberg SJ, Shivers J, D'Almeida E, Armién AG. Evidence of the Primary Afferent Tracts Undergoing Neurodegeneration in Horses With Equine Degenerative Myeloencephalopathy Based on Calretinin Immunohistochemical Localization. Vet Pathol 2015; 53:77-86. [PMID: 26253880 DOI: 10.1177/0300985815598787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Equine degenerative myeloencephalopathy (EDM) is characterized by a symmetric general proprioceptive ataxia in young horses, and is likely underdiagnosed for 2 reasons: first, clinical signs overlap those of cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy; second, histologic lesions--including axonal spheroids in specific tracts of the somatosensory and motor systems--may be subtle. The purpose of this study was (1) to utilize immunohistochemical (IHC) markers to trace axons in the spinocuneocerebellar, dorsal column-medial lemniscal, and dorsospinocerebellar tracts in healthy horses and (2) to determine the IHC staining characteristics of the neurons and degenerated axons along the somatosensory tracts in EDM-affected horses. Examination of brain, spinal cord, and nerves was performed on 2 age-matched control horses, 3 EDM-affected horses, and 2 age-matched disease-control horses via IHC for calbindin, vesicular glutamate transporter 2, parvalbumin, calretinin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Primary afferent axons of the spinocuneocerebellar, dorsal column-medial lemniscal, and dorsospinocerebellar tracts were successfully traced with calretinin. Calretinin-positive cell bodies were identified in a subset of neurons in the dorsal root ganglia, suggesting that calretinin IHC could be used to trace axonal projections from these cell bodies. Calretinin-immunoreactive spheroids were present in EDM-affected horses within the nuclei cuneatus medialis, cuneatus lateralis, and thoracicus. Neurons within those nuclei were calretinin negative. Cell bodies of degenerated axons in EDM-affected horses are likely located in the dorsal root ganglia. These findings support the role of sensory axonal degeneration in the pathogenesis of EDM and provide a method to highlight tracts with axonal spheroids to aid in the diagnosis of this neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Finno
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - S J Valberg
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - J Shivers
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - E D'Almeida
- Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
| | - A G Armién
- Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA
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Wilberts BL, Schwartz KJ, Gauger PC, Wang C, Burrough ER. Evidence of Oxidative Injury in Pigs With Melanosis Coli. Vet Pathol 2014; 52:663-7. [DOI: 10.1177/0300985814559403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Melanosis coli is a dark discoloration of the colon due to accumulation of pigment-laden macrophages in the lamina propria. Three case submissions were received where rectal discoloration was reported at slaughter in pigs from separate production systems and melanosis coli was confirmed microscopically. Tissues from affected and unaffected cohort pigs were evaluated for evidence of oxidative damage using immunohistochemical staining for 3-nitrotyrosine, 4-hyroxynonenol, and malondialdehyde. Affected colons had significantly greater immunolabeling for all 3 target compounds than unaffected colons ( P ≤ .001, all analyses). Hepatic vitamin E levels were low in both affected and unaffected pigs, and there was a trend toward lower values in affected pigs. Given the limited number of slaughter-collected samples available for this investigation, further study is warranted to elucidate the possible association between low vitamin E concentrations and oxidative damage in cases of melanosis coli in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. L. Wilberts
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - K. J. Schwartz
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - P. C. Gauger
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - C. Wang
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - E. R. Burrough
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
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