Helcococcus ovis isolated from a pulmonary abscess in a horse.
Abstract: Helcococcus ovis, a recently described organism cultured from sheep, was isolated in pure culture from a pulmonary abscess in a horse. This is the first report of this organism in horses and the first report in veterinary medicine to clearly demonstrate a pathogenic role for this organism.
Publication Date: 2004-05-08 PubMed ID: 15131196PubMed Central: PMC404590DOI: 10.1128/JCM.42.5.2224-2226.2004Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses the discovery of the bacteria Helcococcus ovis in a horse’s lung abscess, a disease condition previously unknown among horses, demonstrating the bacterium’s pathogenic role in veterinary medicine.
Introduction
- The study revolves around a bacterium called Helcococcus ovis, which was previously identified and studied in sheep. A unique incident brought its existence in horses to light, marking the first instance of this kind in veterinary medicinal history.
Findings
- The article reports the isolation of Helcococcus ovis in pure culture from a pulmonary (lung) abscess in a horse. An abscess is a localized infection filled with pus, often causing swelling and inflammation. The microorganism, hitherto associated only with sheep, was thus found in a new host – horses.
- This discovery is a groundbreaking revelation as it expands the scope of host organisms for Helcococcus ovis and provides new insights into the transferability and virulence of this bacterium.
Significance
- This research is significant because it’s the first to clearly demonstrate a pathogenic role for Helcococcus ovis, meaning that it causes disease. Until now, no clear pathological role was defined for this bacterium, but its isolation from a horse’s lung abscess indicates that it might be more harmful than previously thought.
- Understanding its pathogenicity could help veterinarians and researchers develop appropriate treatments or preventive strategies, enhancing animal health and welfare.
Implications and Future Research
- The discovery of Helcococcus ovis in horses opens up several questions that future research needs to address. For example, researchers need to investigate how the bacterium transmits from one species to another and what factors contribute to its potential pathogenicity.
- In addition, the pathogenic mechanisms employed by this bacterium, its responsiveness to various antibiotics, and its potential impact on other animal populations are among the crucial areas to explore further.
Cite This Article
APA
Rothschild CM, Oaks JL, Schaupp JK, Rurangirwa FR, Sellon DC, Hines MT.
(2004).
Helcococcus ovis isolated from a pulmonary abscess in a horse.
J Clin Microbiol, 42(5), 2224-2226.
https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.42.5.2224-2226.2004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
- Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / veterinary
- Gram-Positive Cocci / classification
- Gram-Positive Cocci / genetics
- Gram-Positive Cocci / isolation & purification
- Gram-Positive Cocci / pathogenicity
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Lung Abscess / microbiology
- Lung Abscess / veterinary
- Male
- Virulence
References
This article includes 12 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Pesapane R, Chaves A, Foley J, Javeed N, Barnum S, Greenwald K, Dodd E, Fontaine C, Duignan P, Murray M, Miller M. Nasopulmonary mites (Acari: Halarachnidae) as potential vectors of bacterial pathogens, including Streptococcus phocae, in marine mammals.. PLoS One 2022;17(6):e0270009.
- Liu K, Deng Z, Zhang L, Gu X, Liu G, Liu Y, Chen P, Gao J, Han B, Qu W. Biological Characteristics and Pathogenicity of Helcococcus ovis Isolated From Clinical Bovine Mastitis in a Chinese Dairy Herd.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:756438.
- Jost A, Sickinger M. Helcococcus ovis associated with septic arthritis and bursitis in calves - a case report.. BMC Vet Res 2021 Sep 3;17(1):291.
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