Clinical aspects of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in two warmblood horses.

This research article discusses the diagnosis and observation of multinodular pulmonary fibrosis in two warmblood horses that presented with chronic weight loss and appetite issues at the Ludwig-Maximilians University in Munich. The evidence from clinical signs, laboratory tests, and postmortem examinations suggests that Equine Herpesvirus Type 5 may be a contributing factor to this condition.

Clinical Presentation and Test Findings

• This research features two warmblood horses exhibiting inappetence and heavyweight loss persistently. The article provides detailed descriptions of each horse’s specific clinical symptoms.
• Horse 1 exhibited symptoms such as fever, quickened heart rate (tachycardia), rapid breathing (tachypnea), and chronic ulcerative keratopathy of both eyes, a condition involving ulceration of the cornea of the eyes.
• Horse 2 showed severe oral ulcers and also had a cough that was triggered during feeding.
• Raised bronchovesicular sounds were heard in both horses on auscultation, providing evidence of abnormal lung function or disease.

Lab and Radiographic Examination

• The results of laboratory tests detailed in the article indicate milder forms of anemia, lymphopenia (reduced lymphocytes in the blood), and hypoalbuminemia (low albumin blood levels). These findings suggest an underlining systemic illness.
• Radiographic examination of the horses’ chest region manifested a severe nodular interstitial pattern, pointing towards a lung condition.
• Ultrasonographic examination, on the other hand, revealed multiple nodular lesions on the lung surface. This was another clear indication of some lung disease.
• The severe chronic fibrosing interstitial pneumonia diagnosis was confirmed by light microscopy of lung biopsy specimens obtained from the first horse.

Postmortem Examination and Final Diagnosis

• Due to poor prognosis, both horses were euthanized. Postmortem examination reiterated the presence of severe multinodular fibrosing interstitial pneumonia in both horses.
• The PCR assay on the lung tissue was positive for Equine Herpesvirus type 5 DNA.
• Basing on all the available signs, laboratory and radiographic results, in alignment with pathological and PCR results, the final diagnosis was made: equine multinodular pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition in horses.