Funisitis associated with leptospiral abortion in an equine placenta.

The research paper discusses the discovery and analysis of an equine placenta infection caused by a bacterium called Leptospira, which resulted in an inflammation known as funisitis. This abnormal condition was found in a prematurely born Thoroughbred foal.

Overview of the Study

• The study discusses the case of an equine placenta infection caused by Leptospira, a form of bacteria. This infection resulted in funisitis – an inflammation of the umbilical cord. The condition was found in a prematurely born Thoroughbred foal.

Morphological Findings

• The umbilical cord of the infected foal showed superficial yellow discoloration throughout its entire length. This served as the initial visible sign of the infection and provoked further investigation.
• Upon microscopic analysis, an exudate of neutrophils mixed with fibrin was found on the surface of the umbilical cord. Neutrophils are white blood cells which are usually the first to respond to a bacterial infection, and fibrin is a fibrous protein involved in blood clotting.
• Using Warthin-Starry staining, a technique used to detect certain types of bacteria, spirochetes (Leptospira) were identified in the ‘Wharton’s Jelly’ of the umbilical cord. The Wharton’s Jelly is a gelatinous substance within the umbilical cord that provides cushioning and support to the umbilical veins and arteries.

Further Observations

• Also noted were severe lesions observed in the allantochorion, a part of the fetal membrane in mammals. These lesions were not related to the star, and the researchers also found instances of allantoic cystic hyperplasia – abnormal growth or increase in the number of cells.
• The researchers established that Leptospira funisitis shares similarities with the funisitis seen in cases of congenital syphilis in humans. However, in the Leptospira case, lesions were limited to the cord surface, unlike in human umbilical cords infected with Treponema pallidum (the bacterium causing syphilis), where changes are generally seen around the vessels and in the Wharton’s Jelly.