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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness ...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2012; 52(12); 1303-1307;

Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse.

Abstract: A 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding was presented for evaluation of severe right forelimb lameness, 2 draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, and weight loss. A presumptive diagnosis of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was established based on radiographs and cytology of the exudate. This diagnosis was confirmed at necropsy. Un hongre Quarter horse âgé de 12 ans a été présenté avec une boiterie grave du membre antérieur droit, 2 faisceaux de drainage sur l’aspect latéral de l’avant-bras droit proximal et une perte de poids. Un diagnostic par inférence d’ostéomyélite à a été posé en se fondant sur les radiographies et la cytologie de l’exsudat. Ce diagnostic a été confirmé à la nécropsie. (Traduit par Isabelle Vallières)
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Publication Date: 2012-06-02 PubMed ID: 22654133PubMed Central: PMC3215461
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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 study details a case of severe bone infection (osteomyelitis) in a 12-year-old Quarter horse gelding caused by a type of fungal infection (blastomycosis) evidenced by extreme lameness, draining lesions, and weight loss. The diagnosis was based on radiographs and cell study of the drained substance and was later confirmed at necropsy.

Case Presentation and Diagnosis

  • The study revolves around a Quarter horse gelding, aged 12 years, brought for assessment due to severe lameness in the right forelimb. Alongside this, the horse was also showing signs of weight loss and two draining tracts over the lateral aspect of the right proximal antebrachium, which is the area of the foreleg between the elbow and the carpus (wrist).
  • Radiography and cytology of the exudate, which is the fluid emission from the draining tracts, were used to infer the diagnosis. The radiographs helped visualize the bone structures while the cytology provided a microscopic view of the cellular elements in the fluid. These were suggestive of a certain type of bone inflammation resulting from a fungal infection, specifically, blastomycosis.
  • Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that primarily affects the lungs and may spread through the body to impact various organs and bones. It typically occurs in dogs and people, but is very rare in horses, making this an unusual case. The disease is caused by the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis, which is found in the environment, particularly in wet soils or in association with decomposing organic matter.

Post-mortem Confirmation

  • The diagnostic presumption of blastomycotic osteomyelitis was later confirmed at necropsy. This is the autopsy of an animal where a thorough examination is conducted post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death or the extent of disease.
  • The necropsy probably involved specific histological examinations of the affected bones to provide definitive proof of blastomycotic involvement, thus cementing the diagnosis.

Cite This Article

APA
Méndez-Angulo JL, Swaab ME, Malone E, Olson EJ, Chalkley MD, Aird B, Ward C. (2012). Blastomycotic osteomyelitis associated with severe lameness in a horse. Can Vet J, 52(12), 1303-1307.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 12
Pages: 1303-1307

Researcher Affiliations

Méndez-Angulo, José L
  • Department of Veterinary Population Medicine, Veterinary Medical Center, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, MN, USA. v12meanj@uco.es
Swaab, Megan E
    Malone, Erin
      Olson, Erik J
        Chalkley, Mark D
          Aird, Betsy
            Ward, Christie

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Blastomycosis / diagnosis
              • Blastomycosis / veterinary
              • Fatal Outcome
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horses
              • Lameness, Animal
              • Male
              • Osteomyelitis / diagnosis
              • Osteomyelitis / veterinary

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 1 times.
              1. González-Martín M, Silva V, Poeta P, Corbera JA, Tejedor-Junco MT. Microbiological aspects of osteomyelitis in veterinary medicine: drawing parallels to the infection in human medicine. Vet Q 2022 Dec;42(1):1-11.
                doi: 10.1080/01652176.2021.2022244pubmed: 34936853google scholar: lookup
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