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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Med Sci / A case-control study of atypical guttural pouch empyema in A...
Veterinary medicine and science2023; 9(4); 1599-1609; doi: 10.1002/vms3.1142

A case-control study of atypical guttural pouch empyema in Arabian foals.

Abstract: Upper respiratory disease was reported over many seasons in Arabian foals on a single stud farm in the Middle East. Affected foals were noted to have mucopurulent nasal discharge, cough, fever and tachypnea. All affected foals had been empirically treated with a macrolide and rifampicin, by the referring veterinarian without improvement. On endoscopic examination, all affected foals had significant guttural pouch empyema (GPE). (1) To document a previously unreported presentation of guttural pouch empyema (GPE) in a family of juvenile Arabian foals; (2) To document the cytological and microbial composition of the empyema; (3) To identify clinical signs significantly correlated with the presence of GPE, as predictors for the need for guttural pouch (GP) endoscopy; (4) To demonstrate successful resolution of the identified syndrome with mechanical GP lavage and evidence based antimicrobial use, improving antibiotic stewardship and the one-health approach to respiratory disease in this demographic of foals. Evaluation and scoring of clinical signs, upper airway endoscopy and thoracic ultrasound were performed in 14 affected foals and 10 age-matched controls, followed by comparative tracheal and guttural pouch sputum culture and cytological evaluation. Therapeutic GP lavage was performed and response to therapy monitored. GPE, cranioventrally distributed ultrasonographic lesions and opportunistic pathogen infection suggested a primary lesion of GPE with aspiration of GP discharge into the lungs. GP lavage resolved the empyema and associated clinical signs in all cases. Cytological examination of tracheal and guttural pouch aspirates revealed a neutrophilic exudate with lipid-laden phagocytes, suggestive of engulfed milk. Bacteriology revealed a high prevalence of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus admixed with other opportunistic pathogens. Streptococcus equi ssp. equi was not isolated in any case.
© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2023-05-23 PubMed ID: 37221932PubMed Central: PMC10357273DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1142Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article is about a detailed case-control study regarding atypical cases of guttural pouch empyema in Arabian foals. The study also discusses the identification of clinical signs, cytokine and microbial composition, and the successful treatment regimen of the diagnosed condition.

Introduction and Methodology

  • The research was triggered by recurring incidents of upper respiratory diseases among Arabian foals on a single stud farm in the Middle East.
  • The clinical symptoms of affected foals included mucopurulent nasal discharge, cough, fever, and rapid breathing.
  • Despite treatment with a macrolide and rifampicin, there was no improvement, indicating a need for further investigation.
  • Large guttural pouch empyema (GPE), which exhibited significant pathological symptoms, was found in all affected foals through endoscopic examination.
  • The study aimed to document this new atypical presentation of GPE, investigate the microbial composition of the disease, identify clinical signs associated with GPE, and demonstrate successful treatment of this variant of the disease.

Observations and Findings

  • The study examined 14 affected foals and 10 age-matched controls, utilizing tools like upper airway endoscopy and thoracic ultrasound.
  • Distinct ultrasonographic lesions and the presence of opportunistic pathogen infections suggested a primary lesion from GPE and aspiration of GP discharge into the lungs.
  • Cytological examination of the discharge from tracheal and guttural pouch aspirates showed an exudate of neutrophils and lipid-laden phagocytes, suggesting engulfed milk.
  • The bacteriological examination revealed a high prevalence of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus mixed with other opportunistic pathogens.
  • Notably, Streptococcus equi ssp. equi, a common cause of strangles in horses, was not found in any foal.

Treatment and Conclusion

  • The GP lavage treatment successfully resolved the empyema and associated clinical symptoms in all the diagnosed cases, demonstrating a successful approach to treating this syndrome.
  • This study provides crucial insights into a previously undocumented case of GP empyema in Arabian foals, contributing significantly to the understanding of horse health and the management of respiratory diseases in this breed.

Cite This Article

APA
van der Vossen N, Cavalcante P, Glynn S, Achappa D, Mehmood W, Oikawa M, Vinardell T, Jamieson C. (2023). A case-control study of atypical guttural pouch empyema in Arabian foals. Vet Med Sci, 9(4), 1599-1609. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.1142

Publication

Veterinary medicine and science
ISSN: 2053-1095
NlmUniqueID: 101678837
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Issue: 4
Pages: 1599-1609

Researcher Affiliations

van der Vossen, Nicole
  • University of Saskatchewan College of Veterinary Medicine, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Cavalcante, Paulo
  • Umm Qarn Farm, Umm Qarn, Qatar.
Glynn, Sarah
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Achappa, Devaya
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Mehmood, Wasiq
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Oikawa, Masaaki
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
Vinardell, Tatiana
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
  • College of Health and Life Sciences, Qatar Foundation, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar.
Jamieson, Camilla
  • Equine Veterinary Medical Center, Education City, Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Endoscopy / veterinary
  • Streptococcus equi
  • Empyema / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest in the undertaking or funding of this work

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