Equine grass sickness is associated with major abnormalities in the ultrastructure of skeletal neuromuscular junctions.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a frequently fatal multisystem neuropathy of equids. The aetiology is unknown; proposed causes include toxicoinfection with Clostridium botulinum and a mycotoxicosis. The effect of EGS on the organisation and structural integrity of the skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the target of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), is unknown.

Objectives

To compare the organisation and structural integrity of skeletal NMJs from EGS horses, control horses and one horse with a presumptive diagnosis of botulism.

Study design

Blinded, retrospective case control.

Methods

NMJs in samples of diaphragm or intercostal muscle from six EGS horses, three control horses and one equine botulism case were compared using electron microscopy, morpho

SUBMITTER: McGorum BC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11616959 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature