AHMF: Conf 2001: Tarello

A Case of the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in a Horse from USA Examined in Dubai (UAE)

W. Tarello

Veterinary surgeon C.P. 42, 06061 Castiglione del Lago (Perugia) Italy

A six–year old castrated male warm–blood horse with a 2–year history of CFS–resembling disease tested negative for Equine Herpes viruses type 1 and 4, Sarcocystis neurona and Equine Arteritis virus. High level of Streptococcus equi serum aspecific antibodies was detected. Symptoms were: resistance to perform the normal activity, fever, apathy, sweats, hives, laminitis and abscesses in hind hooves. Recurrences occurred following several attempted therapies with current medicaments. All biochemistry tests were normal with the exception of high neutrophils and platelets counts and high CK and LDH activities at rest. Fresh blood smears from the horse's blood were sent unstained from the USA to this author in Dubai (UAE). After staining with the Wright technique, slides were microscopically examined (x100) showing the presence of micrococci–like organisms on 5–6% of Red Blood Cells, and the absence of alternative causes of chronic fatigue in horses (Babesia and Ehrlichia spp.) Taken together these observations led to a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Following treatment with Potassium Arsenite 0.5% intravenously given at low dosage (0.05 ml/Kg/day) for three days the horse's health rapidly improved. A clinical and laboratory check made 2 months later confirmed complete recovery.