EPM: Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis and Sarcocystis neurona Infection in Horses
by Robert N. Oglesby DVM

Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM), caused by the protozoan Sarcocystis neurona, is one of the most important neurologic diseases in the horse. Neurological disease and equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) is a diagnostic problem in horses. There have been many documented causes of brain and spinal cord diseases in horses, but differentiating them in the field is difficult. Usually, careful assessment of clinical signs and history will lead you to a short list of probable causes, but carrying the diagnosis further is time consuming, expensive, and may still not yield a diagnosis. Frequently, you will generate a list of most probable diseases and treat those that are treatable. There is much new information on EPM and a conditional vaccine is on the market. In this article we will discuss the clinical signs characteristic of EPM, life cycles, current diagnostic tests, treatment, the vaccine, and other prevention aids. Also, links to past forum discussions and other information on the internet is provided.

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