Observations on the transmission, immunology, clinical signs and chemotherapy of dourine (Trypanosoma equiperdum infection) in horses, with special reference to cerebro-spinal fluid

Abstract

This paper is a record of observations on the transmission and clinical signs of dourine in naturally infected cases of known duration, and of temporal and quantitative aspects of the immune response in blood and cerebro-spina l fluid. Included in the record are observations on the presence of Trypanosoma equiperdutll parasites in these body fluids and methods for their detection. There is evidence that the occurrence of nervous symptoms and lesions in infected horses is associated with the presence of Trypanosoma equiperdunt parasites in cerebro-spinal fluid. The suitability of cerebro-spinal fluid as an environment for the parasite and its relationship with nervous manifestations of the disease are discussed. Observations support the previously reported lesions of peripheral polyneurit is and suggest a possible con•eJation between the consistent position of the nervous lesions and the drainage of cerebro-spinal fluid containing the parasite. Chemotherapy with an experimental drug MSbE was used with varying results in 4 horses at different stages of infection.