Endocarditis caused by Pasteurella caballi in a horse.

This research discusses a horse’s case, which marked the first ever instance of Pasteurella caballi being associated with endocarditis in Australia.

Introduction

• The article starts off by providing an introduction to Pasteurella caballi, a bacterial species of the family Pasteurellaceae, first described in 1989.
• It is mentioned that P. caballi usually resides in the mucous membranes of a horse’s upper respiratory tract, similar to other Pasteurella species.
• The initial observation of P. caballi involved its isolation, in large or pure counts, from ailing horses with diseases like pleuropneumonia, peritonitis, and lung or mesenteric abscesses.
• This lead to the conclusion that P. caballi might have pathogenic potential.

Objective of the Study

• This research explores a case where P. caballi was isolated from a mare’s blood, where the mare had endocarditis – an inflammation of the inner tissue of the heart.
• According to the authors, this is the first reported case in Australia where P. caballi plays a pathogenic role, especially in connection with endocarditis.

Case Report

• A nine-year-old mare, carrying a foal for three months, exhibited signs of lethargy and noticeable weight loss, hence taken to her veterinarian.
• Upon physical examination, the mare was found with pyrexia (high fever). Her hematological test results showed leukocytosis (increased number of white blood cells), neutrophilia (high level of specific white blood cells known as neutrophils), and lymphopenia (low levels of lymphocytes).
• Over and above, specific proteinuria (presence of abnormal protein amounts in the urine), hyperproteinaemia (excess proteins in the blood), hyperfibrinogenaemia (excess fibrinogen protein in the blood), and hyperglobulinaemia (excess of globulin protein in the blood) were observed.
• Ultrasonic scans of the lungs, pleura, spleen, liver, and kidney did not reveal any abnormalities.
• After several days of unsuccessful treatment with penicillin and gentamicin, the mare was referred to the University of Melbourne’s Veterinary Clinic and Hospital.