NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
ENZOOTIC BOVINE PARAPLEGIA IN SOME MALNAD
TRACTS (HILLY AND HEAVY RAINFALL REGION) OF
MYSORE STATE WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO
CEREBROSPINAL NEMATODIASIS AS ITS PROBABLE
CAUSE*
By SYED MOHIYUDDEEN, PH.D. (U.S.A.), Mysore Serum Institute, Bangalore
(Received for publication on February 18, 1955)
(With Plates I—IV and two text-figures)
P ARAPLEGIA in domesticated animals has been observed and recorded in
various parts of the world. Crawford [1939-42] recorded for the first time
paraplegia among goats in Ceylon. Enzootic paralysis in sheep, goats and horses
has been a problem of much investigation and research, which has engaged the
special attention of Japanese workers in Korea and Japan. But the literature on
the subject has remained somewhat obscure because of its publication in Japanese
language, While bringing these publications to light, Innes [1951, 1952] has now
stressed the need for search into a possible nematodal cause in obscure paralytic
conditions of domestic animals. According to Innes [1951] the lesions, such as
acute inflammation with myelin degeneration, fæcal and perivascular cellular infiltra-
tion, microglial and astrocytic response, and in severely affected areas axis cylinders
having irregularly globose or elongated swellings, and the process on the whole being
a patchy, liquefactive, necrotising encephalomyelitis, have to be regarded as specific
for cerebrospinal nematodiasis. McGaughey [1951] has reported cerebrospinal nema-
todiasis among goats with lumbar paralysis in Ceylon and has demonstrated nematode
larvae in the nervous tissue of paraplegic goats. Innes, Shoho and Pillay [1952]
have not only observed the specific histopathological lesions but also found immature
nematodes in brain and spinal cord of paraplegic sheep and goats in Japan. Ishii,
Yajima et al., [1953] have experimentally produced lumbar paralysis in goats in
Japan. They fed mosquitoes on the blood of an ox carrying microfilaria of Setaria
digitata and after allowing 14 days for maturation, the infective larvae were dis-
sected out from the mosquitoes and their suspension in saline inoculated hypoder-
mically into experimental goats. They are of the opinion that cerebrospinal
nematodiasis is the etiological factor of seasonal lumbar neuro-paralysis in sheep,
goats and horses in Japan and Korea. Innes [1952] is of the view that paraplegia
among animals, including Kumri in horses in India, may be due to some form of
cerebrospinal nematodiasis and suggests the importance of detailed histopathological
studies of brain and spinal cord in such cases. Innes [1953] has also studied the
nervous system of a paralysed goat from Orissa (India) and observed microscopic
patchy leptomeningitis with some perivascular cuffing and glial reaction. In his
*This investigation was carried out under the programme of the Veterinary Disease Investigation
Scheme jointly sponsored by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, and the Govern-
ment of Mysore.
1
59AR/55
2
4
ENZOOTIC BOVINE PARAPLEGIA
[Vol. XXVI, Part I,
be some form of nutritional paresis caused by combined hypo-calciamia and hypo-
magnesimia.
SUSCEPTIBLE ANIMALS
From the observations made by the author in Hosnagar, Sagar and Sorab
taluks of Shimoga district in Mysore State, only cattle were found to be affected.
It may be because in the so-called endemic area of the disease in the State other
species of ruminants are not usually reared excepting a few buffaloes for purposes
of milk or work (wet cultivation) and these are generally well taken care of. Cattle
of all ages were observed to suffer from the disease although the incidence was most
common in adult animals.
Typical ailing cases were observed in the following villages where the disease
broke out in 1954 :
1. Nittur
2. Ebagodu hamlet of Brahmanwada village
3. Nithrabailu hamlet of Byse village
4. Kalgadde
5. Malali
6. Bardavalli
7. Marthur
8. Chanagonda
9. Ambargodlu
10. Hebse
11. Kalgodu
12. Tumari
Hosnagar taluk
Sagar taluk
SYMPTOMS OF THE DISEASE
From the observations made on the symptoms and the course of the disease,
three types or forms could be recognised, viz. (i) acute (ii) sub-acute and (iii) chronic.
The disease in all the three forms was non-febrile. In acute cases, the onset of
paralysis of the entire body was somewhat sudden and the course of the disease
extended only to about 48 to 72 hours and in a few cases death occurred within
12 hours. Such cases were regarded as peracute type. The chief symptoms
characterising the acute form were sudden signs of shivering, unsteadiness of the
limbs, staggering gait, animal lying down with its head turned to one side resembling
the characteristic posture of animals suffering from milk fever complex, profuse
salivation, paralysis of the tongue and its protrusion to one side, hard breathing,
finally prostration, convulsions and death. In subacute cases the disease was
characterised by the onset of paraplegia symptoms and in chronic cases, of immobility
of tail followed by paraplegia. However, in both forms gradual progressive paralysis
of the entire body was the ultimate result. Such animals were observed to lie down
frequently while grazing, due probably to weakness of hind quarters, although their
apparently healthy looks did not show their illness, and they also continued to
feed normally. The course of the disease in subacute form extended up to a week
or so, while in chronic form it ran up to a month or even more. The ailing animal
March, 1956]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
5
had no control over the tail, which appeared to hang loose, there being no attempt
at swishing at any time. The response to pin pricks on the tail was either very
slow or imperceptible. In the beginning micturition was normal but latter on
frequency of micturition increased and urine was passed in drops with some strain.
This was followed by a gradual onset of anterior paralysis, involving the muscles of
the tongue resulting in an involuntary flow of saliva. The neck was bent to one
side and tongue protruded out.
Mortality. In acute cases the mortality was almost 100 per cent, while in
subacute and chronic forms recovery was rare and if any, it was mostly in chronic
cases.
Post-mortem lesions. Detailed post-mortem examinations were conducted on
4 typical cases in the field. In three cases post-mortem was done within 3 hours
after death and in one about after 12 hours. Two of the four cases had acute course
of the disease extending not more than 3 days, while the other two cases had
subacute course extending up to a week. In the two acute cases where the disease
was characterised by complete paralysis of the body, the brain and spinal cord
were slightly congested and softened and in the other two subacute cases which
had only paraplegia, no microscopic lesions were evident.
In two cases congestion of small intestines and haemorrhagic patches on epicar-
dium and endo-cardium were observed, while in one case heavy infestation of param-
phistomes in the rumen was noticed.
METHODS AND MATERIAL
During the period of investigation which lasted for about two years (1952-1954),
the following materials were obtained from typical cases for examination :
1. Blood smears (from peripheral
veins)
2. Heart blood, spleen and liver
impression smears
3. Cerebro-spinal fluid
4. Heart blood and spleen cultures
5. Blood samples (defibrinated)
6. Blood samples (citrated)
7. Serum samples
8. Lumbar portion of spinal cord
and brain (half in glycerine
and half in 10 per cent
formalin)
9. Pieces of lungs, liver, spleen,
heart and kidneys
10. Blood sucking flies of cattle
collected from endemic areas
32 ailing cases (microscopical examina-
tion)
12 carcasses (microscopical examina-
tion)
8 fresh carcasses (microscopic as well
as cultural examination)
4 fresh carcasses (cultural examination)
4 ailing cases (biological test)
2 ailing cases (chemical analysis)
10 ailing cases (chemical analysis and
chemical test for surra)
4 carcasses (biological test and
histopathological examination)
4 carcasses (Histopathological examina-
tion)
6 for entomological study
59AR/55
3
6
ENZOOTIC BOVINE PARAPLEGIA
[Vol. XXVI, Part 1,
EXPERIMENTS CONDUCTED
1. Biological tests
(a) Two ailing cattle with typical symptoms of paraplegia at Ebagodu hamlet
of Nagar area, reported to be ailing for three days were selected and
were bled from the jugular vein and immediately the blood was
injected intraperitoneally in 2 c.c. doses to 2 guineapigs and 2 rabbits
and the animals were kept under observation for 5 weeks examining
their blood smears every day, to study the possibility of latent try-
panosomiasis.
(b) Similarly blood was drawn from two typical cases of bovine paraplegia
in a sterile flask with glass beads and was defibrinated by constant
shaking. Two bull calves were injected with the defibrinated blood
at 15 c.c. intravenously and the animals were kept under observation
for a month with a view to finding out if there was any infective agent
in the blood.
(c) Lumbar portion of spinal cord and brain were collected aseptically in
sterile glycerine from two typical cases of bovine paraplegia soon after
the death of the animals. Emulsions of the spinal cords were prepared
in sterile water and 20 c.c. of emulsion injected subcutaneously into
two bull calves, 5 c.c. of emulsion injected intraperitoneally into two
rabbits and 0.2 c.c. intracranially into two guineapigs. All these
experimental animals were kept under observation for a month to
study the possibility of virus being an etiological factor.
Besides, lumbar portion of the spinal cord from a typical acute case was sent in
50 per cent glycerine to I. V. R. I., Mukteswar, for biological transmission experi-
ments.
2. Chemical analysis
(a) Ten serum samples collected from typical ailing cases of bovine paraplegia
were analysed chemically for calcium, magnesium and phosphorus
contents.
(b) Two citrated blood samples collected from typical cases of paraplegia were
tested for copper deficiency.
(3) Chemical test for surra
Ten serum samples collected from 10 typical ailing cases of bovine paraplegia
were subjected to stilbamidine test as recommended by Ray [1950].
(4) Histopathological examination
Lung, liver, spleen, heart, kidney, brain and lumbar portion of spinal cord from
4 typical cases of bovine paraplegia were collected in 10 per cent formalin and
paraffin sections were prepared. Histological sections of lung, liver and spleen,
heart and kidney tissues were stained with haematoxylin and eosin and with
Castroveijo's trichrome stain. The spinal cord and brain from two acute cases
and the lumbar portion of spinal cord from two subacute cases were collected in
10 per cent formalin. After 48 hours of preservation, the tissues were taken out for
March, 1956]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
7
embedding and sectioning and the formalin solution which had become turbid was
centrifuged. The sediment was examined carefully for larval forms of nematodes
as suggested by Niimi (quoted by Innes [1953]) who thought that in some cases
the nematodes may drop off the nervous system after the brain and spinal cord are
placed in the fixative. A few pieces of softened portion of the spinal cord and
brain were also emulsified in sterile water and thick smears were prepared and
stained with haemotoxylin and eosin and giemsa's stains for microscopic examina-
tion.
Protocols
Case No. 1. A cow about 5 years of age belonging to Ebagodu hamlet of Nagar
hobli of Hosnagar taluk, Shimoga district, Mysore State. Symptoms of paraplegia
observed on 28th May 1954. Complete paralysis of all the four limbs, neck bent
to one side, course was acute, death occurred on 30th May 1954. Brain and spinal
cord removed soon after the death of animal.
Case No. 2. A cow of about 6 years of age belonging to Ebagodu hamlet of
Nagar hobli, Hosnagar taluk, Shimoga district, Mysore State. Symptoms of
immobility of tail observed on 21st June 1954 and complete paraplegia was observed
on 25th June 1954, course was subacute, animal died on 27th June 1954. The lumbar
portion of the spinal cord was removed one hour after the death of the animal.
Case No. 3. A cow belonging to Sirur village of Sagar taluk, Shimoga district,
Mysore State. Typical symptoms of paraplegia were observed on 29th June 1954.
Course was subacute, animal died on 5th July 1954. Spinal cord was removed
about 12 hours after death of the animal.
Case No. 4. A cow of about 6 years of age belonging to Ambargodlu village of
Sagar taluk, Shimoga district, Mysore State. Onset of complete paralysis of all
the four limbs was sudden when observed on 25th August 1954. The disease had
acute course and the animal died on 28th August 1954 (within three days). Brain
and spinal cord were removed about three hours after the death of the animal.
RESULTS
Microscopic examinations
Blood smears from 32 typical ailing cases in different stages of the disease from
10 villages of Hosnagar and Sagar taluks were examined microscopically, but none
of the smears revealed any specific bacterial or protozoan organisms. Heart blood
and spleen impression smears from 12 cases and cerebro-spinal fluid smears from 8
cases collected within 6 to 8 hours after the death of the animals were also found
negative, except the heart blood smears from one case which revealed numerous
sarcocytis spores. Detailed microscopic examination of the nervous tissue sediment
obtained after centrifugation of the fixative which contained the spinal cord and
brain of two acute cases (Case No. 1 and 4) revealed three complete nematode larvae
(Plate I, Fig. 1 and Text Fig. 1-A and Fig. 2-A, D) and in about 25 thick smears made
from the emulsion of the spinal cord, two complete larvae (Plate I, Fig. 2 and Text Fig.
2-A and B.) and four incomplete larvae (Fig. 2-C, E, F and G.) were revealed by a few
smears. All these larvae were sheathed. Of the five complete larvae the largest one
8
ENZOOTIC BOVINE PARAPLEGIA
[Vol. XXVI. Part 1 ,
FIG. 1. 0.1 m.m=100 microns
March, 1956]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
9
FIG. 2.
10
ENZOOTIC
BOVINE
PARAPLEGIA
[Vol. XXVI, Part I,
measured 810 microns in length and 24 microns thick at the head end and 28 microns
in the middle (Plate I, Fig. 1, and Text Fig. 1, A). Other complete larvae measured
340 microns in length (Fig. 2, D), 310 microns (Fig. 2, B), 320 microns (Fig. 2, A)
and 450 microns (Fig.2, H).
Result of cultural examination
Cultures of heart blood, spleen and cerebro-spinal fluid from four typical cases
did not reveal any bacterial growth on agar, blood agar, broth and Robertson media
even after 72 hours of incubation.
Results of biological tests
Samples of defibrinated blood obtained from typical cases of bovine paraplegia,
when injected subcutaneously and intravenously into bull calves did not produce
the disease during a period of one month's observation and thus the possibility of
a transmissible infective agent in the blood was eliminated. Emulsions of fresh
spinal cord when injected into bull calves, rabbits and guineapigs subcutaneously,
intraperitoneally and intra-cranially respectively, failed to produce the disease in
the experimental animals.
Blood, cerebro-spinal fluid and emulsions of brain and spinal cord obtained from
typical cases of bovine paraplegia on cultural and biological tests were found negative
for bacteria, virus and protozoa and the disease was non-transmissible to buffalo-
calves and laboratory animals. This was confirmed by the results received from
the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteswar, where biological tests with
the spinal cord were conducted in laboratory animals.
Blood smears of guineapigs and rabbits injected intraperitoneally with fresh
blood from typical cases of bovine paraplegia were found negative for Trypanosomes
for a period of five weeks and hence the possibility of latent trypanosomiasis was
also ruled out.
Results of chemical test for surra
Nine out of 10 samples of sera obtained from typical cases when subjected to
stilbamidine test (M. & B. 744) yielded negative results, while one serum sample
which was considerably haemolysed showed doubtful reaction.
Results of chemical analysis
Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of serum samples from 10 ailing
cases are given in Table 1. Serum calcium level in 9 cases was within the
normal range and in one case it was considerably low, while serum magnesium level
was slightly below the normal range in six cases and normal in four cases. (The slight
low serum magnesium level is subject to correction since there is no established data
regarding the normal range of serum magnesium level in local cattle of the Malnad
tracts). The serum phosphorus level in all the 10 cases was within the normal
range.
Results of entomological study
The blood sucking flies collected from the area were of the two types, one large
and the other small and by their mouth parts were found to belong to the family
Tabinidae and genus Tabanus.
Indian J. vet. Sci., Vol. XXVI, PART 1 ]
PLATE
I
FIG. 1. Nematode larva found in the spinal cord of a cow, acute case of bovine paraplegia (larva found
in the tissue sediment got by centrifugation of the fixative fluid which contained the lumbar
portion of the spinal cord of Case No. 1).
H.E. ×190
FIG. 2. Complete larva of nematode spinal cord of a cow
(larva found in the smears of lumbar portion of
spinal cord of the Case No. 4). Note the sheath
distinctly visible
H.E. ×500
59AR/55
PLATE
II
[ Indian J. vet. Sci. Vol. XXVI, PART I
FIG. 1. Spinal cord, bovine paraplegia, cow (Case No. 2) showing malacic
lesions in the white matter with microcavitation.
H.E. × 105
FIG. 2. Spinal cord, bovine paralysis, cow (Case No. 4) showing
acute liquefaction and a prominent vessel with thickened
walls due to denser reticulum.
H.E. × 350
March, 1956]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
11
TABLE I
Calcium, magnesium and phosphorus contents of serum samples from ten ailing cases
Description of animals
(1) Red bull calf from Nagar area (Ebagodu
village)
(2) Black cow from Nagar area (Byse village)
(3) Reddish grey cow from Sagar area (Bar¬
davalli village)
(4) Black cow from Sagar area (Baradavalli
village)
(5) Cow from Sagar area (Kosgodu village)
(6) Heifer from Sagar area (Kosgodu village)
(7) Cow from Sagar area (Ambargodlu village)
(8) Bullock from Sagar area (Channagonda village)
(9) Cow from Sagar area (Karigodu village)
(10) Bullock from Sagar area (Tumari village)
Duration of the disease
6 days (subacute case with paraplegia)
30 hours after the disease and 12 hours before
death (acute case with complete paralysis)
5th day (subacute with paraplegia only)
2 days (acute case with complete paralysis)
6 days (subacute case with paralysis)
5 days (subacute case with paraplegia)
3 days (subacute case with paraplegia)
2 days (acute case with complete paralysis)
3 days (subacute case)
3 days (subacute case)
Calcium
content in
milligrams
per 100 c.c.
serum
14.4
5.2
9.8
10.4
10.00
9.40
10.20
9.80
7.6
8.0
Magnesium
content in
mgm. per
100 c.c.
serum
2.22
6.52
3.19
3.7
1.75
1.82
1.81
1.57
0.88
1.33
Phosphorus
content in
mgm. per
100 c.c.
serum
7.52
8.45
7.83
6.92
8.42
7.02
8.51
6.54
6.05
7.82
Indian J. vet. Sci., Vol. XXVI, PART I ]
PLATE
III
FIG. 1. Spinal cord, bovine paralysis, cow (Case No. 4) showing malacic lesion
with a transverse section of an immature nematode. Note the oesophagus
of the worm with a distinct triradiate lumen.
H.E. X120
FIG. 2. Spinal cord, bovine paralysis, cow (Case No. 1). Note the right upper mar-
gin showing small area of liquefaction and microcavitation in the white
matter, note also in the left lower corner, a section of the immature
nematode.
H.E.
X90
PLATE IV
[ Indian J. vet. Sci., Vol. XXVI, PART I
FIG. 1. Spinal cord, bovine paraplegia, cow (Case No. 2) showing not only
myelin degeneration but also destroyed ground substance.
H.E. X 92
FIG. 2. Spinal cord, bovine paraplegia, cow (Case No. 2) showing empty spaces as
a result of the falling out of swollen axis cylinders. (Note giant neurones
also.)
H.E. X 120
March, 1956]
SYED
MOHIYUDDEEN
13
TABLE II
Results of subcutaneous injections with calcium and magnesium salts
Description
1. A black cow aged 6 years from Nagar
area (Ebagodu hamlet)
2. A red bull calf 1½ years old from Nagar
area (Ebagodu hamlet)
3. A grey cow of 5 years age from Nagar
area (Ebagodu hamlet)
4. A grey bull calf of 2 years age from
Nagar area (Ebagodu hamlet)
5. A red heifer of 3 years age from Nagar
area (Nithrebailu hamlet)
6. A black cow of 5 years age from Sagar
area (Bardavalli village)
Duration of disease and symptoms
Reported to be sick for 3 days, animal
had complete paraplegia, animal dull,
off fed
Reported to be ailing for 6 days, animal
had complete immobility of tail but
slight paraplegia, animal active and
feeding normal
Reported to be sick for 3 days with
immobility of tail and paraplegia, animal
active and feeding normal
Reported to be ailing for 24 hours with
slight immobility of tail and staggering
gait but no paraplegia, feeding normal,
animal active
Reported to be sick for 6 hours with
immobility of tail and staggering gait,
animal active, feeding normal
Reported to be ailing for 4 days with
complete paraplegia and paralysis of the
entire body and sub-normal temperature,
animal dull and comatose
Period of treatment
1st injection on 29-5-54
2nd injection on 30-5-54
1st injection on 29-5-54
2nd injection on 30-5-54
3rd injection on 1-6-54
1st injection (M. F. C.)
on 28-5-54
2nd injection on 29-5-54
3rd injection on 30-5-54
1st injection on 28-6-54
2nd injection on 29-6-54
3rd injection on 30-6-54
1st injection on 29-6-54
2nd injection on 30-6-54
3rd injection on 1-7-54
1st injection on 30-6-54
2nd injection on 1-7-54
3rd injection on 2-7-54
Results
No improvement and
animal died
Animal recovered
Considerable
im-
provement
and
finally
recovered
Gradual
improve-
ment and finally
recovered
Gradual
improve-
ment and finally
recovered
No improvement ob-
served,
animal
died
59 AR/55
14 ENZOOTIC BOVINE PARAPLEGIA [Vol. XXVI, Part I,
TABLE II—contd.
Results of subcutaneous injections with calcium and magnesium salts
Description
7. A grey cow of 6 years age from Sagar
area (Bardavalli village)
8. A black cow of 5 years age from Hosnagar
area (Malali village)
9. A grey bullock of 6 years age from
Hosnagar area (Nittur village)
10. A black cow of 5 years age from Sagar
area (Ambargodlu village)
11. A grey bull calf, 1½ years old, from
Sagar area (Channagonda village)
Duration of disease and symptoms
Reported to be sick for 24 hours with.
complete, paralysis of the whole body,
animal dull, rumination suspended
Reported to be sick for 3 days with slight
paraplegia and immobility of tail, feeding
normal
Reported to be ailing for a week with
immobility of tail and weak hind quarters,
feeding normal
Reported to be ailing for 2 days with
immobility of tail and slight paraplegia,
animal active, feeding normal
Reported to be ailing for 3 days with
immobility of tail and staggering gait,
animal active, feeding normal
Period of treatment
1st injection on 4-7-54
2nd injection on 5-7-54
1st injection on 17-7-54
2nd injection on 18-7-54
3rd injection on 19-7-54
1st injection on 23-7-54
2nd injection on 24-7-54
3rd injection on 25-7-54
1st injection on 28-8-54
2nd injection on 29-8-54
3rd injection on 30-8-54
1st injection on 7-9-54
2nd injection on 8-9-54
3rd injection on 9-9-54
Results
No
improvement,
animal
died on
the 2nd day
Animal recovered
Gradually improved
and
finally
re-
covered
No
improvement,
animal died
No
improvement,
animal died