Kumri disease, also known as enzootic cerebrospinal nematodiasis or lumbar paralysis, is caused by the erratic migration of the immature stage of Setaria digitata in unnatural hosts like horses, sheep, and goats.
Understanding Kumri Disease
Setaria digitata is a filarial nematode (a type of roundworm) that typically infects cattle. Mosquitoes act as intermediate hosts, transmitting the larvae. Problems arise when these larvae, instead of developing in their normal bovine host, end up in horses, sheep, or goats.
The Aberrant Migration
In these unnatural hosts, the S. digitata larvae don't mature properly and instead undergo aberrant migration. This means they wander through the spinal cord and brain tissue, causing inflammation and neurological damage. This damage is what manifests as the clinical signs of Kumri disease.
Seasonal Prevalence
The prevalence of Kumri disease tends to be higher during the summer months. This is directly linked to increased mosquito activity, which facilitates the transmission of the S. digitata larvae.
Key Factors
- Parasite: Setaria digitata
- Abnormal Host: Horses, sheep, and goats
- Mechanism: Erratic larval migration causing neurological damage
- Vector: Mosquitoes
- Seasonality: Higher prevalence during summer
In summary, Kumri disease results from the aberrant migration of Setaria digitata larvae within the central nervous system of unnatural hosts like horses, sheep, and goats, with mosquito activity playing a crucial role in transmission, particularly during the summer.
