Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a master of disguise. This serious disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms often mimic other health problems in the horse and signs can range from mild to severe.
As many as 50 percent of all horses in the United States may have been exposed to the organism that causes EPM. The causative organ is a protozoal parasite named Sarcocystis neurona. The disease is not transmitted from horse to horse. Rather, the protozoa are spread by the definitive host, opossums, which acquires the organism from infected birds. The infective stage of the organism, the sporocysts, are passed in the opossum’s feces. Tne horse comes into contact with the infective sporacysts while grazing or eating contaminated feed or drinking water.
Once ingested, the sporocysts migrate from the intestinal tract into the bloodstream and cross the blood/brain barrier. There they begin to attack the horse’s central nervous system. The onset of the disease may be slow or sudden. If left undiagnosed and untreated, EPM can cause devastating and lasting neurologic damage.
SYMPTOMS
The clinical signs of EPM can be quite varied. Clinical signs are almost always asymmetrical (not the same on both sides of the horse). Actual symptoms may depend on the severity and location of the lesions that develop in the brain, brain stem or spinal cord.
Symptoms may include:
- Ataxia (incoordination), Spasticity (stiff, stilted movements), abnormal gait or lameness
- Incoordination and weakness which worsens when going up or down slopes or when head is elevated
- Muscle atrophy, most noticeable along the topline or in the large muscles of thehindquarters, but can sometimes involve the muscles of the face or front limbs
- Paralysis of muscles of the eyes, face or mouth, evident by drooping eyes, ears or lips
- Difficulty swallowing
- Seizures or collapse
- Abnormal sweating
- Loss of sensation along the face, neck or body
- Head tilt with poor balance; horse may assume a splay-footed stance or lean against stall walls for support
- Fatigue or narcolepsy – horse may seem to suddenly fall asleep, or lie down for extended periods
Three things seem to influence progression of the disease:
- 1. The extent of the infection (i.e. the number of organisms ingested)
- How long the horse harbors the parasite prior to treatment
- The point(s) in the brain or spinal cord where the organism localizes and damage occurs
HORSES AT RISK
EPM is considered the number one cause of neurologic problems in horses today. Almost every part of the country has reported cases of EPM. However, the incidence of disease is much lower in the western United States especially in regions with small opossum populations. However, due to the transport of horses and feedstuffs from one Part of the country to another, almost all horses are at risk.
Not all horses who are exposed to the protozoan Sarcocystis neuronawill develop the disease and show clinical signs of EPM. Some horses seem to mount an effective immune response and are able to combat the disease before it gains a foothold. Other horses, especially those under stress, can succumb rapidly to the debilitating effects of EPM. Still others may harbor the organisms for months or years and then slowly or suddenly develop symptoms.
DIAGNOSIS
Your veterinarian will first conduct a thorough physical examination to assess your horse’s general health and identify any suspicious symptoms. One notable clue is the disease often tends to affect one side or part of the horse more than another.
If your equine practitioner suspects EPM, he or she will order blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis. A spinal tap, in which a long needle is inserted through the back and into the spinal canal, will be necessary. The blood test alone, while useful, is inconclusive as it may indicate exposure to the organism but not whether the disease has attacked the central nervous system. A positive blood test only means the horse has been exposed to the parasite, not that it has or will develop clinical disease. Currently two laboratories are analyzing blood and spinal fluid for EPM. Prompt, accurate diagnosis is essential and treatment should begin immediately.
TREATMENT
Tne sooner treatment begins, the better the horse’s chances are for recovery. Sixty to 70 percent of EPM cases aggressively treated show significant or complete reversal of symptoms. Many horses are able to return to normal activity.
Here are some things you should know about treating EPM:
- At present, there are no labeled anti-protozoal drugs approved by the FDA to treat EPM, consult your veterinarian.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed to alleviate symptoms and prevent reactions to parasite die-off during treatment.
- Supplementation with vitamin E, an antioxidant, is often recommended to aid healing of nervous tissue.
- Average duration of treatments is 3-6 months, but can sometimes be longer.
- Current Practice is to extend treatment 30-60 days beyond the elimination of symptoms or until a negative CSF test is obtained.
- Long-term treatments can be costly.
- Although complications are rare, treatments may affect stallion fertility and may pose certain health risks to unborn foals.
- While success rates are high, not all horses respond positively to therapy. Approximately10-20% of horses may experience a relapse.
- While a horse is being treated, taking intermittent blood samples may be recommended to monitor potential side effects such as anemia, low platelet count and low white blood cell count.
- Since some drugs used to treat EPM are antifolate drugs, supplementation with folic acid (a B vitamin) is recommended.
- Horses undergoing treatment should be closely observed for signs of improvement or decline, especially negative side effects to the drugs, such as acute diarrhea.
- Be sure to report any changes in the horse’s condition to your veterinarian.
METHODS OF PREVENTION
Unfortunately, there is little horse owners can do to adequately protect their horses from infection with EPM. There are currently no vaccines to immunize animals against protozoal diseases. At best, good horse-keeping practices will discourage unwanted visitors such as opossums, other rodents and birds from contaminating hay, grain and bedding.
Here are a few suggestions:
- Keep feed rooms and containers closed and sealed.
- Use feeders which minimize spillage and are difficult for wild animals to access.
- Clean up any dropped grain immediately to discourage birds and other scavengers.
- Feed heat-treated cereal grains and extruded feeds since these processes seem to kill the infective sporocysts.
- Keep water tanks clean and filled with clean fresh water.
- Maximize your horse’s health and fitness through proper nutrition, regular exercise, and routine deworming and vaccinations.
- Schedule regular appointments with your equine veterinarian.
ONGOING RESEARCH
EPM was initially identiiied in 1964. In recent years, awareness among veterinarians and horse owners has grown considerably. Research at the University of Kentucky, the University of Florida, Ohio State University, the University of California at Davis, and Michigan State University, as well as other institutions, is leading to advancements in EPM diagnosis and treatment. For more information regarding EPM, contact your veterinarian or the American Association of Equine Practitioners, 4070 Iron Works Pike, Lexington, KY 40511, (606) 233-0147.
