Three geldings showed low appetite, ataxia, peculiar swaying, and clouding of consciousness, and ultimately died or were euthanized. At necropsy, multiple coalescing granulomatous foci were detected in the kidneys; small necrotic lesions were found in the cerebellum of one case. Histologic examination of renal tissue sections revealed extensive granuloma, and Halicephalobus gingivalis-like nematodes were seen. Similar nematodes were found in the granulomatous or necrotic lesions of the renal lymph nodes and cerebellum, and were also frequently detected in cerebrospinal meningovascular lesions. Morphologic features together with the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences of the nematodes in the lesions of one case revealed that they were H. gingivalis. The present results indicated that H. gingivalis was the cause of the three geldings' granulomatous nephritis and meningoencephalomyelitis.
(Epidemiological Research Team, TEL +81-29-838-7708)
Reference:
- Shibahara T. et al. (2002) Vet. Rec. 151(22) : 672-674.
- Takai H. et al. (2005) J. Jap. Vet. Med. Assoc. 58(2) : 105-108.
- Takai H. et al. (2005) Equine Sci. 42(5) : 321-331.
- Akagami M. et al. (2007) J. Vet. Med. Sci. 69(11) : 1187-1190.
