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The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale2010; 20(2); 59-61; doi: 10.1155/2009/538967

A case of disseminated infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus.

Abstract: Human infections with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, a group C streptococcus, are very rare and are generally associated with contact with horses, and consumption of unpasteurized milk products, goat cheese or pork. In most cases S zooepidemicus leads to fulminant infections. The case of a middle-aged woman who had sporadic contact with horses is described in the present report. She developed a bacteremia with severe and extensive complications that included meningitis, mitral endocarditis and blindness due to bilateral endophthalmitis. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of an endophthalmitis due to S zooepidemicus. Because of a penicillin allergy, the patient was treated with ceftriaxone and rifampin over six weeks and survived. The present case report highlights the severe complications associated with S zooepidemicus infection. Les infections à Streptococcus equi, sous-espèce zooepidemicus, qui appartient aux streptocoques du groupe C, sont très rares chez l’humain et généralement consécutives à des contacts avec des chevaux ou à la consommation de produits laitiers non pasteurisés, de fromage de chèque et de porc. Dans la plupart des cas, S. zooepidemicus cause des infections fulminantes. On présente ici le cas d’une femme d’âge moyen ayant eu des contacts sporadiques avec des chevaux. Elle a présenté une bactériémie accompagnée de complications graves et disséminées incluant méningite, endocardite mitrale, cécité due à une endophtalmite bilatérale. À la connaissance de l’auteur, il s’agit du premier cas signalé d’endophtalmite à S. zooepidemicus. En raison d’une allergie à la pénicilline, la patiente a été traitée au moyen de ceftriaxone et de rifampin pendant six semaines et elle a survécu. Ce cas rappelle la gravité des complications associées à l’infection à S. zooepidemicus.
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Publication Date: 2010-06-02 PubMed ID: 20514161PubMed Central: PMC2706407DOI: 10.1155/2009/538967Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 discusses a rare human infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, usually occurring through contact with horses or consumption of certain unpasteurized dairy products and meat. The report detailed a case of a middle-aged woman who suffered severe complications from this infection, including meningitis, mitral endocarditis, and bilateral endophthalmitis resulting in blindness.

About Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus

  • Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus is a bacterial strain of group C streptococcus. As the article states, human infections of this kind are rare but can potentially lead to aggressive, fast-moving infections.
  • The bacteria are typically associated with contact with horses and consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, goat cheese, or pork.

Case Study

  • The article details the treatment of a middle-aged woman who had only sporadic contact with horses. Despite this minimal exposure, she developed bacteremia, or a bacterial infection that spreads via the bloodstream, resulting in numerous severe complications.
  • Among her complications were meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, mitral endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, and bilateral endophthalmitis, a severe eye infection that ultimately led to blindness.
  • According to the researchers, this is the first documented case of endophthalmitis resulting from a Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infection.

Treatment and Conclusion

  • The patient had an allergy to penicillin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic. As a result, she was treated with alternative antibiotics ceftriaxone and rifampin for a duration of six weeks. Fortunately, the patient survived the ordeal.
  • This case underscores the potential severity and complex complications associated with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus infections, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and aggressive treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
Poulin MF, Boivin G. (2010). A case of disseminated infection caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol, 20(2), 59-61. https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/538967

Publication

The Canadian journal of infectious diseases & medical microbiology = Journal canadien des maladies infectieuses et de la microbiologie medicale
ISSN: 1918-1493
NlmUniqueID: 101226876
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 20
Issue: 2
Pages: 59-61

Researcher Affiliations

Poulin, Marie-France
  • Laval University;
Boivin, Guy

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    Citations

    This article has been cited 17 times.
    1. Singh B, Sulaiman ZI, Raynor EM. A Rare Case of Streptococcus equi Infection: A Report and Brief Review of the Literature. Cureus 2025 Dec;17(12):e99040.
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    2. Jochumsen S, Kk Vishram-Nielsen J, Pump BB, Seibæk MB, Bruun NE. Streptococcus equi Subspecies zooepidemicus Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report of a Rare Bacterium and Review of the Literature. Cureus 2025 Dec;17(12):e98613.
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    3. Eustace M, Strey G, Kidd TJ, McNamara JF. Probable zoonotic pulmonary prosthetic valve infective endocarditis and acalculous cholecystitis caused by Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. BMJ Case Rep 2024 Nov 4;17(11).
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