Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a horse from Switzerland with severe neurological symptoms.
Abstract: A 22-year old mare from Switzerland was admitted to an equine clinic in May 2011. She presented with fever, lethargy, icteric mucous membranes, reduced alertness, an unsteady gait and ataxia. An Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection was confirmed by blood smear and PCR. The mare was treated with oxytetracylin and recovered rapidly, but she still suffered from a slight atactic gait disturbance at 3 weeks post infection. Eine 22 Jahre alte Stute aus der Schweiz wurde im Mai 2011 in eine Pferdeklinik aufgenommen. Die klinischen Symptome bestanden in Fieber, Abgeschlagenheit, ikterischen Schleimhäuten, reduzierter Aufmerksamkeit, einem unsicherem Gang und einer Ataxie. Eine Infektion mit Anaplasma phagocytophilum wurde durch den Erregernachweis im Blutausstrich und in der PCR bestätigt. Die Stute wurde mit Oxytetrazyklin behandelt, worunter eine rasche Besserung eintrat. Trotzdem war drei Wochen nach der Infektion noch eine geringgradige ataktische Gangstörung nachweisbar.
Publication Date: 2014-06-29 PubMed ID: 24973323DOI: 10.1024/0036-7281/a000605Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This study investigates a case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a 22-year-old mare from Switzerland, presenting severe neurological symptoms. Following treatment, while most symptoms improved, some gait disturbance persisted.
Background
- The research revolves around a unique case of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a horse that displayed severe neurological symptoms.
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a bacterium known to cause anaplasmosis, a tick-borne disease that affects several animals, including horses. It presents a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe.
Case Presentation
- In May 2011, a 22-year-old mare from Switzerland was admitted to an equine clinic. The mare was showing signs of fever, lethargy, jaundiced (icteric) mucous membranes, reduced attentiveness, an unsteady gait, and ataxia (a degenerative disease affecting the nervous system, leading to a lack of coordination).
- The mare’s blood was tested, and the infection confirmed by blood smear and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a common method for detecting bacterial DNA.
Treatment and Outcome
- The horse was then treated with the antibiotic oxytetracycline, used commonly in such bacterial infections.
- After the treatment, the horse recovered rapidly, with the most symptoms showing significant improvement. However, at three weeks post-infection, the mare still displayed a slight gait disturbance, indicating a residual effect of the disease on the nervous system.
Conclusion
- This study highlights the need for more investigation into Anaplasma phagocytophilum’s impact on the neurological system of horses. While treatment might alleviate most symptoms, some residuals might persist, affecting the quality of life of the infected horse.
- More research is needed to understand the full scope of complications related to an Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection and to develop effective treatments that completely eradicate the condition and its effects.
Cite This Article
APA
Gussmann K, Czech C, Hermann M, Schaarschmidt-Kiener D, von Loewenich FD.
(2014).
Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in a horse from Switzerland with severe neurological symptoms.
Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd, 156(7), 345-348.
https://doi.org/10.1024/0036-7281/a000605 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Germany.
- Equine Clinic Neugraben, Niederlenz, Switzerland.
- Equine Clinic Neugraben, Niederlenz, Switzerland.
- Laboratory at Zugersee, Hünenberg, Switzerland.
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Freiburg, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Anaplasma phagocytophilum
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Ehrlichiosis / diagnosis
- Ehrlichiosis / drug therapy
- Ehrlichiosis / physiopathology
- Ehrlichiosis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Oxytetracycline / therapeutic use
- Switzerland
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Bogdan AM, Mitrea IL, Ionita M. Equine Granulocytic Anaplasmosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Clinico-Pathological Findings, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Management. Vet Sci 2024 Jun 13;11(6).
- Aleman M, Vedavally U, Pusterla N, Wensley F, Berryhill E, Madigan JE. Common and atypical presentations of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection in equids with emphasis on neurologic and muscle disease. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jan-Feb;38(1):440-448.
- Bogdan AM, Ionita M, Mitrea IL. Serological Evidence of Natural Exposure to Tick-Borne Pathogens in Horses, Romania. Microorganisms 2021 Feb 12;9(2).
- Dugat T, Lagrée AC, Maillard R, Boulouis HJ, Haddad N. Opening the black box of Anaplasma phagocytophilum diversity: current situation and future perspectives. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2015;5:61.
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