UPDATE ON DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF EQUINE PROTOZOAL MYELOENCEPHALITIS

摘要

The clinical diagnosis of EPM remains a challenging task for veterinarians. Variable and sometimes subtle presentation ot clinical signs and the inherent complexities of the diagnostic tests make a clear cut and confirmed diagnosis of EPM in the clinical patient difficult. Given these constraints, careful interpretation of clinical and ancillary diagnostic laboratory testing are key to making a diagnosis. Diagnosis is dependent upon:1. Confirming the presence of clinical signs which are consistent with EPM2. Ruling out other potential causes of the observed clinical signs by appropriate means (spinal tap, radiography, serology, etc)3. Confirming the presence of S. neurona specific antibodies by one of a variety of means (i.e., immunodiagnostic testing)