Actinomyces as a Cause of Osteomyelitis of the Nasofrontal Suture in a Gelding.
Abstract: A 7-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding was referred to the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, for an investigation of a recurrent swelling of the nasofrontal region. Computed tomography examination of the skull was most consistent with a sequestrum of the left nasofrontal suture with associated focal osteomyelitis and left conchofrontal sinusitis. Surgery to remove the sequestrum, debride the devitalized bone, and flush the left conchofrontal sinus was performed. A microbial culture was obtained at the time of surgery, which yielded a mixed heavy growth of an Actinomyces species. Quantitative PCR indicated a species with 93% resemblance to Actinomyces funkei. A treatment course of two weeks of oral chloramphenicol was prescribed. At three-month follow-up, the owner reported resolution of the swelling.
Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2020-05-30 PubMed ID: 32684273DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103148Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the case of a 7-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding with a recurrent swelling of the nasofrontal region. After conducting a computed tomography examination and performing surgery, the study found that an Actinomyces species, very closely resembling Actinomyces funkei, was the cause of the horse’s osteomyelitis and conchofrontal sinusitis. Post two-week antibiotic treatment, the horse showed signs of recovery.
Case Overview
- The subject of the study is a 7-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding, presented for investigation of a recurrent swelling in its nasofrontal region.
- The gelding was admitted to the JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital at Auburn University’s College of Veterinary Medicine for a detailed diagnosis.
Diagnostic Procedure
- It underwent a Computed Tomography (CT) examination which revealed what appeared to most likely be a sequestrum (a piece of dead bone) of the left nasofrontal suture. This sequestrum was also accompanied by focal osteomyelitis (inflammation of the bone) and left conchofrontal sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus).
Surgical Intervention
- The gelding then underwent surgery to remove the sequestrum, clean out (debride) the devitalized (non-living) bone, and clean (flush) the left conchofrontal sinus.
- A sample was obtained during the surgery for microbial culture.
Microbial Analysis
- The results of the microbial culture revealed a considerable growth of an Actinomyces species. Actinomyces are a type of bacteria that can lead to various infections in humans and animals.
- Further analysis using quantitative PCR indicated that the species had a 93% resemblance to Actinomyces funkei, thus identifying the cause of the horse’s osteomyelitis and sinusitis.
Treatment and Follow-Up
- Based on the results of the microbial analysis, a treatment course of oral chloramphenicol (an antibiotic) was prescribed for two weeks.
- In a follow-up after three months, the owner reported that the gelding’s swelling had completely resolved, indicating a successful treatment of the bone and sinus infection caused by the Actinomyces species.
Cite This Article
APA
Boorman S, Boone L, Weatherall K, Caldwell F.
(2020).
Actinomyces as a Cause of Osteomyelitis of the Nasofrontal Suture in a Gelding.
J Equine Vet Sci, 91, 103148.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103148 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. Electronic address: lhb0021@auburn.edu.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
MeSH Terms
- Actinomyces
- Actinomycetaceae
- Animals
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Male
- Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
- Osteomyelitis / veterinary
- Sutures / adverse effects
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