Incidence of polysaccharide storage myopathy: necropsy study of 225 horses

Vet Pathol. 2005 Nov;42(6):823-7. doi: 10.1354/vp.42-6-823.

Abstract

Muscle samples were obtained at necropsy from 225 horses and ponies 1 year of age or older. Samples were processed in routine manner and were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and with periodic acid-Schiff for glycogen. Sections were examined for abnormal glycogen content and amylase-resistant complex polysaccharide and for chronic myopathic change (excessive fiber size variation, increase in number of internal nuclei). A total of 101 horses and ponies with lesions of polysaccharide storage myopathy were identified. Age of affected horses ranged from one to 30 years, with a mean of 14.7 years. Mean age of nonaffected horses was 12 years. Incidence of polysaccharide storage myopathy varied depending on breed; Thoroughbreds had the lowest (27%) and draft-related horses had the highest (86%) incidence. Chronic myopathic changes were more severe in polysaccharide storage myopathy-affected horses than in nonaffected horses. Results of this study indicate that polysaccharide storage myopathy is a common disorder of many breeds of horses and ponies.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors / epidemiology
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors / pathology
  • Carbohydrate Metabolism, Inborn Errors / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Glycogen / metabolism
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Horse Diseases / pathology*
  • Horses
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Muscular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Muscular Diseases / pathology
  • Muscular Diseases / veterinary*
  • Species Specificity

Substances

  • Glycogen