Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Rhodococcus equi infections in foals.
Abstract: Since the 1986 Rhodococcus equi workshop, there have been major breakthroughs in understanding the epidemiology of, the virulence of, and the immune response to, this intriguing pathogen. However, with the exception of the use of hyperimmune plasma for the prevention of the disease (Martens et al., 1989; Madigan et al., 1991) the clinical aspects of R. equi infections have essentially remained unchanged. This article reviews the various clinical manifestations and summarizes recent advances in diagnosis, treatment and prevention of R. equi infections in foals.
Publication Date: 1997-06-16 PubMed ID: 9226845DOI: 10.1016/s0378-1135(97)00099-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article reviews the clinical impacts, methodologies of diagnosis, treatment options, and preventive measures for Rhodococcus equi infections in foals. The paper presents an updated understanding of the disease since a key 1986 workshop, noting that the only major change in clinical aspect since then is the use of hyperimmune plasma for prevention.
Epidemiology of Rhodococcus equi infections
- The article first reviews the epidemiology of R. equi, a pathogen occurring especially in young horses or foals. There could be mention of how the bacteria spreads, likely prevalence or incidence rates, risk factors for transmission, and specific challenges in foal populations.
Virulence of the Pathogen
- The next focus is on the virulence of R. equi, which could be explained by examining how damaging the pathogen can be in infecting its host. This review should provide crucial insights into the pathogen’s mechanisms for invading and causing harm to the host’s body, and why it is particularly aggressive or resistant in a foal’s immune system.
Immune Response to the Pathogen
- The authors also discuss the body’s immune response to R. equi. This would involve investigating how the infected foal’s immune system responds to the attack, including the typical pace and effectiveness of the immune response. It should highlight how the body attempts to fight off the infection and potentially, why this process sometimes fails or is insufficient.
Use of Hyperimmune Plasma in Prevention
- The study distinctly acknowledges the role of hyperimmune plasma in preventing R. equi infections. Foals may receive hyperimmune plasma from a vaccinated mare, which could contain a high concentration of antibodies against the bacteria. By transfusing this plasma, the foal’s immune system may be better equipped to combat the disease.
Review of Recent Advances in Clinical Aspects
- The investigators then summarize the latest advancements in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Rhodococcus equi infections. This could encompass anything from the development of more accurate diagnostic tests and the emergence of new therapeutic strategies, to novel prevention programs aimed at minimizing the disease’s incidence in foal populations.
Cite This Article
APA
Giguère S, Prescott JF.
(1997).
Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of Rhodococcus equi infections in foals.
Vet Microbiol, 56(3-4), 313-334.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1135(97)00099-0 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. sgiguere@ovcnet.uoguelph.ca
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycetales Infections / diagnosis
- Actinomycetales Infections / prevention & control
- Actinomycetales Infections / therapy
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Bronchopneumonia / physiopathology
- Bronchopneumonia / veterinary
- Diagnosis, Differential
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / physiopathology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
- Rhodococcus equi
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