Which lesion is associated with the cardiac form of AHS on postmortem examination?

Which lesion is associated with the cardiac form of AHS on postmortem examination?

• A. Hydrothorax
• B. Supraorbital swelling
• C. Yellow gelatinous infiltrate
• D. Hydropericardium

Answer: (D)

In African horse sickness, the cardiac form produces marked edema due to vascular leakage, with fluid accumulating in the pericardial sac. This pericardial effusion, or hydropericardium, is the hallmark postmortem lesion of the cardiac form. The virus causes endothelial damage leading to serous effusions in body cavities, and while other fluids (like pleural or abdominal effusions) may be present, the pericardial cavity filling with clear to serous fluid best identifies the cardiac form. Other findings like pleural effusion, localized facial swelling, or yellow gelatinous infiltrates are not as specific to the cardiac form and can occur in other forms or conditions.

In African horse sickness, the cardiac form produces marked edema due to vascular leakage, with fluid accumulating in the pericardial sac. This pericardial effusion, or hydropericardium, is the hallmark postmortem lesion of the cardiac form. The virus causes endothelial damage leading to serous effusions in body cavities, and while other fluids (like pleural or abdominal effusions) may be present, the pericardial cavity filling with clear to serous fluid best identifies the cardiac form. Other findings like pleural effusion, localized facial swelling, or yellow gelatinous infiltrates are not as specific to the cardiac form and can occur in other forms or conditions.