dc.contributor.advisor |
Eberhardt, Christina |
|
dc.contributor.coadvisor |
Viljoen, Adrienne |
|
dc.contributor.postgraduate |
Piketh, Graeme |
|
dc.date.accessioned |
2024-09-27T10:29:07Z |
|
dc.date.available |
2024-09-27T10:29:07Z |
|
dc.date.created |
2024-09 |
|
dc.date.issued |
2024-06 |
|
dc.description |
Dissertation (MMedVet (Equine Medicine))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
en_US |
dc.description.abstract |
Introduction:
Equine encephalosis is a systemic disease of horses caused by equine encephalosis virus. This virus is
an Orbivirus that is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides species). Equine encephalosis is often
reported as a subclinical infection with a relatively limited number of clinical cases showing
predominantly fever, with minimal morbidity and mortality. Rare instances of neurological disease
have also been associated with the virus.
Clinical relevance:
Information regarding the clinical presentation of equine encephalosis is underrepresented in
current scientific literature. This study aims to contribute to a more detailed conceptualization of the
significance of the disease and its clinical impact.
Method:
A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was performed on data obtained from the
University of Pretoria’s clinical database for cases identified with equine encephalosis over the
period 2013-2023. Data from the history, clinical signs and clinicopathological findings were
analysed. The clinical presentation and clinicopathological findings are reported.
Results:
A total of 28 horses conformed to the study parameters as having clinical infection with equine
encephalosis virus. Pyrexia was apparent in 89.2% of these cases. Other clinical findings included
tachycardia (64.3%), tachypnoea (46.4%), colic (39.3%), neurological signs (21.4%), peripheral
oedema (14.3%), and icterus (10.7%). Evaluation of the clinicopathological findings identified
lymphopenia (86.7%), thrombocytopenia (76.0%), leukopenia (48.0%), immature neutrophilia
(31.8%), and mature neutropenia (27.3%).
Conclusion:
Equine encephalosis can result in a wide variety of clinical signs in horses and is associated with
changes in haematology variables. These haematological changes suggest a systemic response to
the viral infection. Further research into the pathophysiology of equine encephalosis is required to
better understand the disease and its clinical relevance. |
en_US |
dc.description.availability |
Unrestricted |
en_US |
dc.description.degree |
MMedVet (Equine Medicine) |
en_US |
dc.description.department |
Companion Animal Clinical Studies |
en_US |
dc.description.faculty |
Faculty of Veterinary Science |
en_US |
dc.identifier.citation |
* |
en_US |
dc.identifier.other |
S2024 |
en_US |
dc.identifier.uri |
http://hdl.handle.net/2263/98378 |
|
dc.language.iso |
en |
en_US |
dc.publisher |
University of Pretoria |
|
dc.rights |
© 2021 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
|
dc.subject |
UCTD |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Clinical signs |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Clinical pathology |
en_US |
dc.subject |
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital |
en_US |
dc.title |
Clinical signs and clinical pathology findings in horses with equine encephalosis at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital, South Africa |
en_US |
dc.type |
Dissertation |
en_US |