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Clinical and pathological aspects of an outbreak of equine leukoencephalomalacia in Spain

G Naranjo Cerrillo1, F Soler Rodríguez, L Gómez Gordo

  • 1Departamento de Medicina y Sanidad animal, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, Spain.

Zentralblatt Fur Veterinarmedizin. Reihe A
|October 1, 1996
PubMed

Insights

An outbreak of equine leukoencephalomalacia was linked to corn contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme. This fungal toxin caused acute neurological symptoms and severe central nervous system lesions in affected horses.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Pathology
  • Mycology
  • Equine Neurology

Background:

  • Leukoencephalomalacia is a severe neurological disease affecting equids.
  • Outbreaks have been associated with consumption of moldy feed, particularly corn.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the causative agent of a leukoencephalomalacia outbreak in equids.
  • To describe the clinical and pathological findings associated with the disease.

Main Methods:

  • Diagnosis of leukoencephalomalacia in affected equids.
  • Identification of the fungal contaminant in the feed.
  • Gross and microscopic examination of central nervous system tissues.

Main Results:

  • The outbreak was linked to corn contaminated with Fusarium moniliforme.
  • Affected equids exhibited acute neurological signs including incoordination, blindness, and facial paralysis.
  • Pathological findings included hyperemia, hemorrhages, edema, neuronal degeneration/necrosis, and Purkinje cell necrosis in the brain and cerebellum.

Conclusions:

  • Fusarium moniliforme is a causative agent of equine leukoencephalomalacia.
  • The disease presents with severe, acute neurological deficits and characteristic neuropathological changes.

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