Cerebrospinal fluid analysis in normal ponies and in ponies with experimentally induced central nervous system disease
Abstract
The detailed physical cellular and protein characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid in normal ponies and in ponies with experimentally induced central nervous system disease were investigated. A profile of cerebrospinal fluid tests including cytologic evaluation, determination of total protein and glucose concentration, high resolution protein electrophoresis and immunoelectrophoresis was first performed on 13 normal ponies. Separation of protein fractions and calculation of the albumin, globulin, and gamma protein indices provided an estimation of the permeability of the blood-brain barrier as well as intrathecal production of immunoglobulins. Experimental models of bacterial meningoencephalitis, parasitic meningoencephalitis and toxic neuropathy were produced in groups of 5-6 ponies by the intrathecal inoculation of Streptococcus equi, the inoculation of Ascaris suum L2 stage larve into the internal carotid artery, and the oral feeding of methylmercury chloride, respectively. The alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid of these ponies were evaluated during the course of clinical disease. The ponies with bacterial meningoencephalitis developed marked alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid early in the course of disease. Protein concentrations and nucleated cell counts increased rapidly. A marked neutrophilic pleocytosis developed by day 2 of the trial. The albumin and globulin indices were significantly increased implying increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier. These ponies had histologic lesions consistent with an acute bacterial meningoencephalitis. Ponies with parasitic meningoencephalitis developed an eosinophilic and lymphocytic pleocytosis by week 2 of the study. The total protein concentration and protein indices suggested an acute increase in the permeability of the blood-brain barrier as well as intrathecal immunoglobulin production by week 3 of the disease. Lesions of eosinophilic meningoencephalitis were present in these ponies. Ponies with experimental methylmercury toxicosis became ataxic by week 2 of the trial but alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid were never detected. The principal histologic lesions in these ponies was severe necrosis of neurons in spinal ganglia.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
DeNicola, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Veterinary services
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