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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in an adult horse which had tr...
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2019; 60(12); 1295-1300;

Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in an adult horse which had travelled in an endemic area.

Abstract: A gelding from eastern Canada was presented for cough and exercise intolerance 14 months after it had travelled on Vancouver Island. Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia was diagnosed based on cytology, antigen titers, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The horse was treated with fluconazole for 10 months. Delayed C. gattii infection can occur after travel in an endemic area. Pneumonie à Cryptococcus gattii chez un cheval adulte ayant voyagé dans une région endémique. Un cheval hongre de l’est canadien fut présenté pour de la toux et de l’intolérance à l’exercice 14 mois après avoir voyagé sur l’Île de Vancouver. Une pneumonie à Cryptococcus gattii fut diagnostiquée sur la base de la cytologie, des titres antigéniques, et de la réaction d’amplification en chaîne par la polymérase (PCR). Le cheval fut traité avec du fluconazole pendant 10 mois. Une infection à retardement par C. gattii peut survenir à la suite d’un voyage dans une région endémique.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Publication Date: 2019-12-10 PubMed ID: 31814635PubMed Central: PMC6855238
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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 describes a case of horse pneumonia caused by Cryptococcus gattii, which was diagnosed and treated in Canada after the horse traveled in an area where the disease is prevalent.

Research Context

  • The case report focuses on a gelding (castrated male horse) from Eastern Canada who showed symptoms of a cough and exercise intolerance.
  • The symptoms were displayed by the horse 14 months after it had traveled to Vancouver Island, an area known to be endemic for certain infectious diseases.

    • Diagnosis and Treatment

    • The horse was diagnosed with pneumonia which had been caused by Cryptococcus gattii, a rare type of Cryptococcus fungi more typically known to cause infections in humans.
    • The diagnosis was made using a combination of methods including cytology (the study of cells), antigen titers (detection of antibodies in the blood), and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR, a method of copying DNA sequences).
    • Based on this diagnosis, the treatment carried out involved the administration of fluconazole, an antifungal medication. This treatment lasted for a period of 10 months.

      • Findings and Implications

      • From this case report, the researchers conclude that a delayed Cryptococcus gattii infection can occur following travel in an area where the disease is found.
      • This highlights the importance of monitoring for diseases in horses even a significant time after their exposure in an endemic region.
      • Furthermore, the report illustrates how varied and flexible diagnostic methods can aid in pinpointing a specific causal organism for an infectious disease. This, in turn, helps in administering the most effective treatment.
      • This finding could have important implications for animal travel regulations, medical surveillance, and the diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Allano M, Grimes C, Boivin R, Smith G, Dumaresq J, Leclere M. (2019). Cryptococcus gattii pneumonia in an adult horse which had travelled in an endemic area. Can Vet J, 60(12), 1295-1300.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 60
Issue: 12
Pages: 1295-1300

Researcher Affiliations

Allano, Marion
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).
Grimes, Carolyn
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).
Boivin, Roxane
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).
Smith, Glenn
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).
Dumaresq, Jeannot
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).
Leclere, Mathilde
  • Departments of Clinical Sciences (Allano, Boivin, Leclere) and Pathology and Microbiology (Grimes), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec J2S 2M2; Dundas Veterinary Services, 2257 County Road 31, Winchester, Ontario K0C 2K0 (Smith); Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Hôtel Dieu de Lévis affiliated University Hospital, Lévis, Québec G6V 3Z1 (Dumaresq).

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Cryptococcosis / veterinary
  • Cryptococcus gattii
  • Fluconazole
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Male
  • Pneumonia / veterinary

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