Actinomycosis of the mandible, mimicking a malignancy in a horse.
Abstract: Osteomyelitis of the mandible with Actinomyces species was diagnosed in a 4-year-old sports horse with radiographic changes suggestive of neoplasia. Surgical debridement, intravenous and local iodine solution treatment were administered. Mandibular Actinomyces infections are reported in humans and ruminants; they have not been previously reported in the horse. Actinomycose de la mandibule simulant une malignité chez un cheval. Une ostéomyélite de la mandibule à Actinomyces sp. a été diagnostiquée chez un cheval de sport âgé de 4 ans montrant des changements radiographiques ressemblant à une néoplasie. Le débridement chirurgical, un traitement intraveineux et local avec une solution d’iode ont été administrés. Les infections mandibulaires à Actinomyces sont rapportées chez les humains et les ruminants mais pas encore chez les chevaux. (Traduit par Docteur André Blouin)
Publication Date: 2008-01-15 PubMed ID: 18189048PubMed Central: PMC2081993
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Summary
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The research study discusses a unique case of osteomyelitis in a 4-year-old sports horse, caused by Actinomyces species, which initially seemed to be a neoplastic condition as per X-ray indications. This previously unreported occurrence of mandibular Actinomyces infections in horses was treated through surgical cleaning, along with intravenous and local iodine solution.
About the Study
- The study presents a unique case of osteomyelitis (an infection in the bone) in a 4-year-old sports horse, which was caused by Actinomyces species.
- Actinomycosis is a rare infectious bacterial disease, mostly affecting the face and neck. It’s more commonly reported in humans and ruminants (cud-chewing animals).
- In the case of the horse in this study, the X-ray of the horse indicated signs of neoplasia, which means abnormal new tissue growth often referring to cancer. However, it was revealed to be an infection, not a neoplastic condition as initially suspected.
Treatment Administered
- The horse was given a treatment involving surgical debridement, which is a surgical procedure to remove infected, damaged tissue and foreign objects from a wound.
- Intravenous therapy and local iodine solution were used to counter the infection.
- The combination of the treatments aimed at removing the infection from the horse’s mandible and prevent further spread or complications.
Significance of the Study
- This study contributes significantly to veterinary medicine by documenting this rare infection in horses, which had previously not been reported.
- By studying this case and the successful treatment administered, veterinarians can be guided on how to identify similar conditions and approach the treatment in the future.
Cite This Article
APA
Vos NJ.
(2008).
Actinomycosis of the mandible, mimicking a malignancy in a horse.
Can Vet J, 48(12), 1261-1263.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Camden Veterinary Hospital, University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2570, Australia. klaas_vos@hotmail.com
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycosis / diagnosis
- Actinomycosis / drug therapy
- Actinomycosis / surgery
- Actinomycosis / veterinary
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Debridement / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / surgery
- Horses
- Male
- Mandibular Diseases / diagnosis
- Mandibular Diseases / drug therapy
- Mandibular Diseases / surgery
- Mandibular Diseases / veterinary
- Tooth Extraction / veterinary
- Treatment Outcome
References
This article includes 14 references
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