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Veterinary sciences2020; 7(2); 47; doi: 10.3390/vetsci7020047

Atypical Multibacterial Granulomatous Myositis in a Horse: First Report in Italy.

Abstract: Infectious causes of myositis are reported relatively uncommonly in horses. Among them, bacterial causes include subsp. , , spp. spp, and . Infection can be spread to muscles via haematogenous or extension from skin lesions. Parasitic myositis has also been documented. In this report, a 12 year-old Italian Quarter Horse mare presented with diffuse subcutaneous nodules and masses ranging from 2 × 3 to 5 × 20 cm in size, and adherent to subcutis and muscles that were first macroscopically and cytologically diagnosed as pyogranulomas. Subsequently, histological, molecular, bacteriological, and biochemical investigations were performed. All the data obtained allowed to diagnose a severe and diffuse multibacterial granulomatous myositis caused by and . Following the therapy and an initial disappearance of most of the lesions together with a general improvement of the mare, the clinical condition deteriorated, and new nodules appeared. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and PCR techniques revealed the presence of bacteria as and spp. To the authors' knowledge, this case report represents the first description of multibacterial granulomatous myositis due to , , , and spp. in a horse reared in Italy.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-21 PubMed ID: 32326275PubMed Central: PMC7355418DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7020047Google 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.

This research discusses a unique case of a 12-year-old horse in Italy suffering from a broadly spread bacterial infection in the muscles known as granulomatous myositis. The study explores the diagnostic methods and bacteria involved, underlines the importance of advanced diagnostic techniques for bacterial infections in horses, and notes that this type of infection has not been previously reported in Italy.

Introduction and Case Description

  • The researchers present a case involving a 12-year-old Italian Quarter Horse mare. The horse exhibited diffuse subcutaneous nodules and masses, some adhering to subcutis (the lower layer of skin) and muscles. Initially, these were diagnosed as pyogranulomas, a type of lesion caused by inflammation.
  • As bacterial infections causing myositis (inflammation and degeneration of muscle tissue) are infrequent in horses, this case was unusual. The infections can spread to muscles either through the bloodstream or from skin lesions. Parasitic myositis is also known but was not at play in this case.

Methodology and Results

  • The team conducted a series of histological, molecular, bacteriological, and biochemical investigations to gain a better understanding of the infection.
  • The array of data collected led to a diagnosis of severe and diffuse multibacterial granulomatous myositis. This condition indicates a severe widespread bacterial infection inducing inflammation in the muscle tissue, caused by four different bacteria: Mycobacterium, Trueperella pyogenes, Streptococcus equisimilis, and Actinomyces species.
  • Subsequent therapy resulted in an initial disappearance of most of the lesions and a general improvement in the horse’s condition. However, its clinical state subsequently deteriorated, with new nodules appearing.

Analyses and Conclusions

  • The researchers utilized Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and PCR techniques. These advanced diagnostic methods allowed for the detection of multiple bacterial species, including Corynebacterium and Streptococcus species, within the nodules.
  • This case is significant as it is the first reported instance of multibacterial granulomatous myositis involving these particular bacteria in a horse in Italy. This step forward in diagnosing and understanding the disease can guide the development of more accurate treatments in the future.

Cite This Article

APA
(2020). Atypical Multibacterial Granulomatous Myositis in a Horse: First Report in Italy. Vet Sci, 7(2), 47. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci7020047

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Issue: 2
PII: 47

Researcher Affiliations

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Hu D, Chao Y, Zhang B, Wang C, Qi Y, Ente M, Zhang D, Li K, Mok KM. Effects of Gasterophilus pecorum infestation on the intestinal microbiota of the rewilded Przewalski's horses in China. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251512.
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  2. Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024 Jul 29;13(8).
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