Equine grass sickness is associated with major abnormalities in the ultrastructure of skeletal neuromuscular junctions

Background: Equine grass sickness (EGS) is a frequently fatal multisystem neuropathy of equids. The aetiology is unknown; proposed causes include toxicoinfection with Clostridium botulinum and a mycotoxicosis. The effect of EGS on the organisation and structural integrity of the skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the target of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), is unknown.

Objectives: To compare the organisation and structural integrity of skeletal NMJs from EGS horses, control horses and one horse with a presumptive diagnosis of botulism.

Study design: Blinded, retrospective case control.

Methods: NMJs in samples of diaphragm or intercostal muscle from six EGS horses, three control horses and one equine botulism case were compared using electron microscopy, morphometry and confocal light microscopy.

Results: A significantly higher percentage of EGS NMJs had abnormal morphology (EGS 72.2%, 95% CI 55.6-84.4; Controls 6.9%, 1.7-23.8; OR 35.1, 8.47-244.8; p < 0.001). EGS NMJs had a significantly lower mean volume fraction occupied by synaptic vesicles (SVs) (EGS 18.7%, 12.6-28.0; Controls 36.3%, 20.8-63.4; p = 0.024). EGS NMJs had evidence of accelerated SV exocytosis and SV depletion, accumulation of neurofilament-like material in terminal boutons and/or bouton degeneration. NMJs from the botulism horse had dense packing of SVs towards the presynaptic membrane active zone, consistent with BoNT intoxication, but had absence of the abnormalities identified in EGS NMJs.

Main limitations: Group sizes were limited by difficulties obtaining suitably processed samples. Ages of control and EGS horses differed. Botulism was diagnosed based on clinical and post mortem findings.

Conclusions: EGS is associated with major changes in skeletal NMJ ultrastructure that are inconsistent with the effects of BoNTs. SV depletion may reflect increased exocytosis coupled with reduced repopulation of SVs via anterograde axonal transport and endocytosis, consistent with the action of an excitatory presynaptic toxin and/or neurotransmitter reuptake inhibitor. Skeletal NMJs represent a previously unrecognised target for the toxin that causes EGS.