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Frontiers in veterinary science2021; 8; 743067; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.743067

Case Report: Nuchal Bursitis Associated With Borrelia burgdorferi Infection in a Horse.

Abstract: Cases of cranial nuchal bursitis associated with infection have not been thoroughly described. Here, we describe the case of a 17-year-old mare that was presented for low head carriage, dull demeanor, and resistance to haltering. Imaging supported a diagnosis of nuchal bursitis, and bursoscopy with surgical debridement of the nuchal bursa was performed. was identified by molecular diagnostics in serial samples of the bursal fluid, with no other organisms identified. Serology revealed significant elevation in antibodies directed against OspA of , but not the typical infection markers, OspC and OspF. Intravenous ceftiofur was administered for 80 days, and the nuchal bursa was directly injected with ceftiofur. The mare recovered and was able to return to work with no recrudescence of clinical signs over the following year to date. Infection with should be considered as a differential in cases of septic nuchal bursitis.
Copyright © 2021 Guarino, Pinn-Woodcock, Levine, Miller and Johnson.
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Publication Date: 2021-09-23 PubMed ID: 34631864PubMed Central: PMC8495068DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.743067Google 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 article focuses on a case of nuchal bursitis in a horse, associated with a Borrelia burgdorferi infection. It explores the process of diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.

Introduction and Case Presentation

  • The research paper presents a case report on a 17-year-old mare that exhibited symptoms such as low head carriage, a dull demeanor, and resistance to haltering, which are all suggestive of discomfort or pain in the upper neck area. These symptoms led the researchers to suspect nuchal bursitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the nuchal bursa, a fluid-filled sac located in the horse’s neck.

Diagnosis

  • Upon performing diagnostic imaging, the preliminary prognosis of nuchal bursitis was confirmed. Furthermore, a bursoscopy and surgical debridement, a process that involves the removal of damaged tissue from the bursa, was carried out.

Identification of Infection

  • The presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for Lyme disease, was detected in samples of the bursal fluid via molecular diagnostics.
  • Interestingly, no other organisms were identified in the fluid, implying the infection was solely due to Borrelia burgdorferi.

Serology & Antibodies

  • The horse’s serology, a type of blood test, revealed a significant elevation in antibodies directed against a protein known as OspA of Borrelia burgdorferi. This is quite unique as the typical markers of Lyme disease infection are antibodies against other proteins, OspC and OspF.
  • These findings suggest that infections with Borrelia burgdorferi can present differently than what is typically seen.

Treatment and Recovery

  • The horse was treated with intravenous ceftiofur, an antibiotic used to combat bacterial infections, for a duration of 80 days. In addition, the affected bursa was directly injected with ceftiofur as part of the treatment strategy.
  • With this treatment regime, the horse fully recovered and was able to return to work without any recurrence of symptoms over the course of a year.

Conclusion

  • This case report suggests that Borrelia burgdorferi infection should be considered a potential cause of septic nuchal bursitis in horses. Making such diagnoses can lead to more effective treatment approaches for affected horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Guarino C, Pinn-Woodcock T, Levine DG, Miller J, Johnson AL. (2021). Case Report: Nuchal Bursitis Associated With Borrelia burgdorferi Infection in a Horse. Front Vet Sci, 8, 743067. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.743067

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 743067
PII: 743067

Researcher Affiliations

Guarino, Cassandra
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Pinn-Woodcock, Toby
  • Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.
Levine, David G
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, United States.
Miller, Julia
  • General Medicine, Alliance Equine Health Care, Glenmoore, PA, United States.
Johnson, Amy L
  • New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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