Flashcards: Neurology

Flashcard 1
Front: What is the causative agent of Rabies?
Back: Lyssavirus, family Rhabdoviridae

Flashcard 2
Front: Describe the pathogenesis of Rabies.
Back:

1. Replicates at the site of inoculation

2. Travels via peripheral nerves to the spinal cord and cranial nerves

3. Ascends to the brain → Descends to salivary glands and other organs

Flashcard 3
Front: What are the primary reservoirs of Rabies?
Back:

• 30 known species, including terrestrial carnivores and bats

• Most important: Dogs (globally), Cats (most reported domestic cases in the U.S.)

Flashcard 4
Front: How is Rabies transmitted?
Back:

• Virus-laden saliva through bite wounds

• Aerosol transmission unlikely (except in densely populated bat caves)

Flashcard 5
Front: What are the clinical signs of Rabies?
Back:

• Suggestive signs: Acute behavioral changes, aggression, progressive paralysis, altered phonation

• 3 Phases:

  1. Prodromal (1-3 days): Nonspecific signs

  2. Acute Excitative ("furious" form): Hyperexcitability, aggression

  3. Paralytic/End Stage: Death from paralysis

Flashcard 6
Front: How is Rabies diagnosed?
Back:

• Clinical signs are suggestive, but lab confirmation is required

• Gold Standard: Direct immunofluorescence (IFA) on fresh brain tissue

• PCR assay may also be used

Flashcard 7
Front: What are the key prevention and control measures for Rabies?
Back:

• Vaccination: Inactivated, recombinant (MLV not available in the U.S.)

• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): Wound care + Rabies immune globulin + Vaccination

• Stray population management, public education, oral wildlife vaccines

Flashcard 8
Front: What are the regulatory aspects of Rabies?
Back:

• Reportable disease

• Unvaccinated animals exposed to Rabies:

  • Unclaimed: Euthanize immediately

  • Owned: Immediate vaccination + 4-6 months strict isolation

• Vaccinated animals: Immediate revaccination + 45-day observation

Flashcard 9
Front: What is the causative agent of Pseudorabies (Aujeszky’s Disease)?
Back: DNA Herpesvirus

Flashcard 10
Front: How is Pseudorabies transmitted?
Back: Direct contact, fecal-oral, aerosol

Flashcard 11
Front: What are the clinical signs of Pseudorabies?
Back:

• Young pigs: CNS disease, tremors, high mortality

• Weaned pigs: Respiratory disease, lower mortality

• Other species: Intense pruritus, sudden death

Flashcard 12
Front: How is Pseudorabies diagnosed?
Back: Clinical signs + Serology/PCR/Virus isolation

Flashcard 13
Front: What are the key prevention and control measures for Pseudorabies?
Back:

• Vaccination (MLV)

• Quarterly vaccines for breeding herds

• U.S. commercial swine industry is free of Pseudorabies

Flashcard 14
Front: What are the causes of Polioencephalomalacia (PEM)?
Back:

• High-concentrate diets

• High sulfur intake

• Thiamine deficiency

Flashcard 15
Front: What are the clinical signs of Polioencephalomalacia (PEM)?
Back:

• Acute form: Blindness, ataxia, recumbency, seizures, coma

• Subacute form: Anorexia, isolation, head-pressing, stargazing

Flashcard 16
Front: How is Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) diagnosed?
Back:

• Presumptive: Response to thiamine treatment

• Definitive: Necropsy

Flashcard 17
Front: How is Polioencephalomalacia (PEM) treated?
Back:

• Thiamine administration

• Supportive care

• Dietary modification for prevention

Flashcard 18
Front: What are examples of Prion Diseases?
Back:

• Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)

• Scrapie

• Chronic Wasting Disease

Flashcard 19
Front: How are Prion Diseases transmitted?
Back:

• BSE: Foodborne (meat & bone meal contamination)

• Scrapie: Oral/environmental contamination

Flashcard 20
Front: What are the clinical signs of Prion Diseases?
Back:

• BSE: Progressive nervous system decline, ataxia, aggression, weight loss

• Scrapie: Pruritus, ataxia, gait abnormalities, weight loss

Flashcard 21
Front: How are Prion Diseases diagnosed?
Back:

• Postmortem tests: ELISA, Western blot, IHC

Flashcard 22
Front: What are the key control measures for Prion Diseases?
Back:

• BSE: Ban on meat & bone meal, removal of specified risk materials (SRMs)

• Scrapie: Genetic selection, depopulation, import restrictions

Flashcard 23
Front: What is the causative agent of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)?
Back: Sarcocystis neurona

Flashcard 24
Front: How is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) transmitted?
Back: Opossum feces contaminate feed/water

Flashcard 25
Front: What are the clinical signs of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM)?
Back: Asymmetric ataxia, muscle atrophy, cranial nerve abnormalities

Flashcard 26
Front: How is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) diagnosed?
Back: CSF-to-serum antibody ratio

Flashcard 27
Front: How is Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis (EPM) treated?
Back: Antiprotozoal drugs, supportive care