Diseases of the nervous system of equids in Brazil: a review
Kesia S Carvalho1, Claudio S L de Barros2, Fabio S Mendonça3
1Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Centro Universitário Cesmac, Alagoas, AL, Brazil.
Insights
This review synthesizes knowledge on 18 central nervous system (CNS) diseases in equids in Brazil. It offers crucial diagnostic data for equine neurological conditions, aiding veterinarians globally.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Neurology
- Equine Pathology
- Infectious Diseases in Animals
Background:
- Equine central nervous system (CNS) diseases were poorly understood in Brazil before the 1980s.
- Diagnostic laboratories have since been established across Brazil, accumulating significant data.
- Much of this accumulated knowledge remains unpublished or in Portuguese, hindering broader access.
Purpose of the Study:
- To comprehensively review 18 key nervous system diseases affecting equids in Brazil.
- To consolidate diagnostic reference data for equine neurological conditions.
- To facilitate comparison of equine neurological disease epidemiology and pathology worldwide.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of equine nervous system diseases diagnosed in Brazil.
- Inclusion of infectious diseases (e.g., rabies, encephalomyelitides, EHM, PME), toxic plant, and mycotoxin-induced diseases.
- Synthesis of data from Brazilian diagnostic laboratories.
Main Results:
- Identified and reviewed 18 significant CNS diseases in Brazilian equids.
- Included critical infectious agents like rabies and equine encephalomyelitides.
- Covered diseases caused by toxic plants and mycotoxins.
Conclusions:
- This review provides essential reference data for diagnosing equine neurological diseases in Brazil.
- It aims to assist pathologists and clinicians in their diagnostic efforts.
- The study serves as a valuable resource for international professionals comparing global equine neurological disease data.
Abstract:
In Brazil, CNS diseases in equids were little known until the 1980s. Since then, several diagnostic laboratories have been operating in different universities, initially in the South and Southeast regions and, later, in the Central-West, Northeast and North regions. However, the knowledge accumulated from the diagnoses of nervous system diseases of equids made at these institutions over the years has not been reviewed comprehensively, and many papers are published in Portuguese. Here, we review 18 diseases that occur in the nervous system of equids in Brazil, including some critical infectious diseases (rabies, equine encephalomyelitides, equine herpesviral myeloencephalopathy, protozoan myeloencephalitis), and diseases caused by toxic plants and mycotoxins. Our review provides reference data to assist pathologists and clinicians in diagnosing neurologic diseases in equids. We also hope it will serve as a reference for professionals in this field abroad, allowing them to compare data in the epidemiology and pathology of the nervous system diseases of equids in different regions of the world.
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