Clinical and radiographic findings in Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals.
Abstract: Thirty-nine foals with pneumonia were admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. Corynebacterium equi was recovered from each of them on bacteriologic culture of transtracheal aspiration specimens or lung specimens at necropsy. The foals were divided into 2 groups. Group I consisted of 20 foals that died because of C equi pneumonia and were subsequently necropsied. Group II consisted of 19 foals that were treated and discharged from the hospital. Radiography was performed on all foals. Clinical signs included increased respiratory rate, fever, cough, nasal discharge, increased bronchovesicular sounds over large airways, and wheezing over small airways. Highly significant differences were found in the mean respiratory rate (P less than 0.005) and temperature (P less than 0.001), recorded at admission, between the 2 groups; both factors were higher for group I. Hematology revealed leukocytosis with neutrophilia, monocytosis, and high plasma fibrinogen content in all foals. Significant differences were recorded in the mean total leukocyte count (P less than 0.05), mean neutrophil count (P less than 0.05), mean monocyte count (P less than 0.005), and mean fibrinogen value (P less than 0.05) between the 2 groups; values from group I were higher than those from group II. Although C equi was isolated alone from 25 of the tracheal aspirates and lung specimens, 14 cultures yielded multiple pathogens. At the time of initial examination, all foals had radiographic evidence of pneumonia. Pulmonary consolidation indicative of bronchopneumonia was identified in 31 of the 39 foals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1985-03-15 PubMed ID: 3988594
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research studied the clinical and radiographic signs of pneumonia in foals caused by Corynebacterium equi. Across thirty-nine foals, the study found that symptoms such as increased respiratory rate, fever, and leukocytosis, along with radiographic evidence of pneumonia, were common. The team divided the foals into two groups: those who died due to the infection and those who were successfully treated.
Study Participants and Division
- The study was conducted on thirty-nine foals who were admitted to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis.
- Each came down with pneumonia and testing confirmed the presence of Corynebacterium equi: a bacterium causing the illness.
- The foals were divided into two groups. Group I comprised of 20 foals who died due to pneumonia, while Group II consisted of 19 foals who recovered from the illness.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
- The common clinical signs among the foals included increased respiratory rate, fever, cough, nasal discharge, increased bronchovesicular sounds over large airways, and wheezing over small airways.
- A significant difference was found in the mean respiratory rate and body temperature between the two groups, with Group I (foals who died) having higher rates.
Hematological Findings and Bacterial Culture
- All the foals showed hematological evidence of leukocytosis with neutrophilia, monocytosis, and high plasma fibrinogen content.
- The mean total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, monocyte count, and fibrinogen values were significantly higher in Group I as compared to Group II.
- While C. equi bacteria were isolated independently in 25 cases, in 14 occurrences, the bacteria were part of multiple pathogens.
Radiographic Evidence
- All foals showed radiographic signs of pneumonia during initial examination.
- Pulmonary consolidation indicative of bronchopneumonia was identified in 31 out of 39 foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Falcon J, Smith BP, O'Brien TR, Carlson GP, Biberstein E.
(1985).
Clinical and radiographic findings in Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 186(6), 593-599.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Corynebacterium Infections / diagnosis
- Corynebacterium Infections / diagnostic imaging
- Corynebacterium Infections / microbiology
- Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / diagnostic imaging
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Pneumonia / diagnosis
- Pneumonia / diagnostic imaging
- Pneumonia / microbiology
- Pneumonia / veterinary
- Radiography
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Giguère S, Berghaus LJ, Miller CD. Clinical Assessment of a Point-of-Care Serum Amyloid A Assay in Foals with Bronchopneumonia.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1338-43.
- Prescott JF, Machang'u R, Kwiecien J, Delaney K. Prevention of foal mortality due to Rhodococcus equi pneumonia on an endemically affected farm.. Can Vet J 1989 Nov;30(11):871-5.
- Muscatello G, Anderson GA, Gilkerson JR, Browning GF. Associations between the ecology of virulent Rhodococcus equi and the epidemiology of R. equi pneumonia on Australian thoroughbred farms.. Appl Environ Microbiol 2006 Sep;72(9):6152-60.
- Sellon DC, Besser TE, Vivrette SL, McConnico RS. Comparison of nucleic acid amplification, serology, and microbiologic culture for diagnosis of Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals.. J Clin Microbiol 2001 Apr;39(4):1289-93.
- Takai S, Ohkura H, Watanabe Y, Tsubaki S. Quantitative aspects of fecal Rhodococcus (Corynebacterium) equi in foals.. J Clin Microbiol 1986 Apr;23(4):794-6.
- Zink MC, Yager JA. Experimental infection of piglets by aerosols of Rhodococcus equi.. Can J Vet Res 1987 Jul;51(3):290-6.
- Prescott JF. Rhodococcus equi: an animal and human pathogen.. Clin Microbiol Rev 1991 Jan;4(1):20-34.
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