Multisystemic eosinophilic epitheliotropic disease (MEED) in a horse (abstract)

Authors: Black AM, Mace JC
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 52, Issue 1, pp 49, Feb 2004
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Inflammation, Integument/skin/wool/hair/fur/feather, Disease/defect, Locomotor, Pathology
Article class: Abstract

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Abstract: A 6-year-old Thoroughbred-cross gelding was presented with ulcerative coronitis and sloughing of chestnuts and ergots. The horse was mildly lame and its faeces were soft and formless. Laboratory findings included a mild eosinophilia, mild hyperglobulinaemia and a marked elevation of gamma glutamyl transferase and glutamate dehydrogenase. There was a general deterioration of the horse’s condition over a 3-week period and the dermatitis became generalised and the diarrhoea severe. It was euthanised. At necropsy, the pancreas was pale, multinodular and firm. The liver had a lobular appearance and there was generalised thickening of the descending colon. Histologically, there was a marked, predominantly eosinophilic infiltrate of the pancreas, liver and colon. There was a superficial and deep perivascular dermatitis of the coronet, characterised by dense infiltrates of eosinophils in association with marked acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. The combination of clinical findings, haematology, serum biochemistry and gross changes in conjunction with the histology confirmed MEED. The aetiology of MEED has not been established.

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