EPM is a neurological disease of the Americas. It is most commonly caused by the parasite Sarcocystis neurona and more rarely by Neospora hughesi. The standard of practice for diagnosis is to perform a complete neurological exam, accompanied by laboratory tests that detect an immunological response to infection.

Feb 25, 2025 · Why SarcoFluor™ and NeoFluor™ testing for EPM? SarcoFluor™ and NeoFluor™ provide quantitative indication of EPM infections by providing actual titers and a likelihood ratio of disease correlating to the titer.

What is EPM? EPM is a disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. It is often caused by the parasite, Sarcocystis neurona, commonly found in the opossum. Research in other states suggests that about 10 to 33 percent of opossums are …

Sep 28, 2016 · Chance’s EPM test #2 on 8/30/16 (the 1st one was 2ish years ago) showed the following: “Combined SAG 2,3,4 Tilter on serum= 1:2000” So, what does this mean? The test revealed that Chance had “positive, specific antibodies” detected in the blood work. This means that he had EXPOSURE to S. Neurona, a causative agent of EPM.

Mar 10, 2017 · There are three basic diagnostic tests for EPM, all of which seek to detect S. neurona infection. (A test for N. hughesi is not yet available.) The blood test detects antibodies to S. neurona.

Jan 29, 2022 · There are no pre-mortem EPM tests! The lack of a test to diagnose EPM by detecting live S. neurona parasites in the central nervous system (CNS), the definition of EPM, is due to the disease process— the organisms are gone.

Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis or EPM in horses is a degenerative disease that affects the central nervous system and spinal cord. It is an inflammatory disease of nerve tissues of the brain and spinal cord caused by unicellular protozoa Sarcocystis neurona.

Testing for S neurona – or N hughesi –specific antibody is the basis for presumptive antemortem diagnosis of EPM, most accurately when intrathecal antibody production is demonstrated following CSF tap by determining a ratio between antibody titers in cerebrospinal fluid and serum in a paired sample.

Jun 14, 2022 · Results between testing labs are explained based on antigen selection and the format of the test. For example, you say the WB result is negative but seropositive for SAG 1 ELISA. We suggest the WB used reducing conditions, eliminating the SAG 1 reactive band.

Jul 26, 2021 · Testing for EPM in horses: If you suspect your horse has EPM your veterinarian will conduct a full neurological exam and perform certain tests. Testing both the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) along with a blood serum sample is best.