US EPA

7415979 

Journal Article 

Outbreaks of equine grass sickness in Hungary 

Schwarz, B; Brunthaler, R; Hahn, C; van Den Hoven, R; , 

2012 

1 

Veterinary Record
ISSN: 0042-4900
EISSN: 2042-7670 

BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOC 

LONDON 

170 

3 

75-75 

English 

22124026 

10.1136/vr.100141 

WOS:000299998800018 

http://doi.wiley.com/10.1136/vr.100141
Exit
 

Equine grass sickness (EGS) occurs mainly in Great Britain, but has once been reported in Hungary. The stud which was affected by EGS in 2001 had no new cases until 2009/10, when 11 of 60 and five of 12 one- to three-year-old colts died or were euthanased due to EGS. Following a few hours in the high-risk field during the winter of 2010/11 further four cases of acute EGS were noted among these horses. The affected horses showed somewhat different clinical signs compared with the cases reported in Great Britain. Histopathological findings in these horses were consistent with EGS. In most examined cases carbofuran, a carbamate was found in the liver by toxicological examination, and it is postulated that carbofuran may influence the immune system and therefore predispose the horses to develop EGS. Carbamates are thought to cause a delayed neurotoxicity in human beings. Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of carbamates in EGS. 

carbamic acid derivative; animal; animal disease; animal husbandry; article; autonomic neuropathy; botulism; case report; Clostridium botulinum; epidemic; fatality; horse; horse disease; Hungary; male; methodology; microbiology; pathogenicity; Animal Husbandry; Animals; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Botulism; Carbamates; Clostridium botulinum; Disease Outbreaks; Fatal Outcome; Horse Diseases; Horses; Hungary; Male; Equidae