Identification of Actinomyces denticolens as a cause of a soft tissue abscess in a horse.
Abstract: A 6-year-old Arabian mare had a 4-week history of a subcutaneous mass (15 × 15 cm) at the base of the neck, cranial and distal to the prescapular lymph node on the right side. The mass was solid and painful on deep palpation. Ultrasonographic examination showed a soft-tissue abscess. Purulent aspirate was submitted for bacterial culture, which showed a moderate growth of an Actinomyces species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for definitive identification. Gene sequencing demonstrated close nucleotide homology with A. denticolens. Prolonged therapeutic management resulted in resolution of the abscess with a small scar. Conclusions: Speciation of actinomycetes is not a routine diagnostic procedure and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify A. denticolens as a cause of soft-tissue abscessation in horses in Australia has not been previously described. Practitioners should include this bacterial species in their differential diagnosis, particularly if abscesses do not respond to drainage and lavage alone.
© 2013 Australian Veterinary Association.
Publication Date: 2013-10-01 PubMed ID: 30049060DOI: 10.1111/avj.12102Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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.
This research examines the cause of a soft tissue abscess found in a 6-year-old Arabian mare, identifying the bacteria Actinomyces denticolens as the root of the issue through bacterial culture and gene sequencing. This discovery is notable as A.denticolens has not previously been identified as a cause of such abscesses in horses in Australia.
Brief Introduction
- The present study revolves around the identification of Actinomyces denticolens, a type of bacteria, as the cause of a soft tissue abscess in a 6-year-old Arabian mare. This is the first time that this bacterial species has been recognized as a cause of soft-tissue abscess in horses in Australia which underlines the significance of this research.
Overview of the Case
- The horse presented with a 4-week history of a subcutaneous mass at the base of its neck. The swelling was sized 15 × 15 cm, and located cranially and distally to the prescapular lymph node on the right side.
- This mass was found to be solid and painful on deep palpation, and an ultrasonographic examination determined it to be a soft-tissue abscess.
Identification of Actinomyces Denticolens
- The purulent aspirate of the abscess was sent for bacterial culture, showing moderate growth of an unknown Actinomyces species.
- Subsequently, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for definitive identification of the bacterial species, showing close nucleotide homology with Actinomyces denticolens.
Therapeutic Management and Resolution
- Prolonged therapeutic management was implemented, leading to the resolution of the abscess, leaving a small scar.
Conclusions and Implications
- It’s noteworthy that routine procedures do not always include the speciation of actinomycetes. This research highlights the importance of 16S rRNA gene sequencing in identifying the cause of soft-tissue abscessation in horses.
- In future, practitioners should include this bacterial species in their differential diagnosis, particularly for cases where abscesses do not respond to drainage and lavage alone.
Cite This Article
APA
Feary DJ, Abraham S, Woolford L, Trott DJ.
(2013).
Identification of Actinomyces denticolens as a cause of a soft tissue abscess in a horse.
Aust Vet J, 91(10), 416-417.
https://doi.org/10.1111/avj.12102 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia.
- School of Animal and Veterinary Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, 5371, Australia.
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- van den Wollenberg L, van Maanen C, Buter R, Janszen P, Rey F, van Engelen E. Detection and molecular characterization of Actinomyces denticolens causing lymph node abscessation in horses. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1225528.
- Li C, Li X, Guo R, Ni W, Liu K, Liu Z, Dai J, Xu Y, Abduriyim S, Wu Z, Zeng Y, Lei B, Zhang Y, Wang Y, Zeng W, Zhang Q, Chen C, Qiao J, Liu C, Hu S. Expanded catalogue of metagenome-assembled genomes reveals resistome characteristics and athletic performance-associated microbes in horse. Microbiome 2023 Jan 12;11(1):7.
- Murakami S, Kobayashi T, Sekigawa Y, Torii Y, Kanesaki Y, Ishige T, Yokoyama E, Ishiwata H, Hamada M, Tamura T. Actinomyces denticolens as a causative agent of actinomycosis in animals. J Vet Med Sci 2018 Nov 9;80(11):1650-1656.
- Murakami S, Otaki M, Hayashi Y, Higuchi K, Kobayashi T, Torii Y, Yokoyama E, Azuma R. Actinomyces denticolens colonisation identified in equine tonsillar crypts. Vet Rec Open 2016;3(1):e000161.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
