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The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2026; 67(1); 43-49;

Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in foals: A case series (1986 to 2024).

Abstract: Listeriosis is caused by , a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, intracellular rod bacterium that can infect a wide variety of species. Listeriosis occurs in a diverse range of domestic and wild animals but is most commonly a disease of ruminants. Clinical signs include meningoencephalitis, typhlocolitis, septic arthritis, and abortions. Listeriosis in horses has been reported in several countries but is an uncommon diagnosis. This report describes clinical, bacteriological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in 6 foals with neonatal septicemia from which was isolated. Key clinical message: Listeriosis is considered rare in neonatal foals but should be considered in neonatal foals exhibiting septicemia and neurological signs. Cerebrospinal fluid cytology and blood culture testing are crucial in establishing the diagnosis, though is difficult to isolate. Cases in foals have a high risk of non-survival. Septicémie à chez les poulains : une série de cas (1986 à 2024)La listériose est causée par , une bactérie à Gram positif, anaérobie facultative, intracellulaire, en forme de bâtonnet, capable d’infecter une grande variété d’espèces. La listériose touche diverses espèces animales domestiques et sauvages, mais elle affecte plus fréquemment les ruminants. Les signes cliniques comprennent la méningo-encéphalite, la typhlocolite, l’arthrite septique et les avortements. Des cas de listériose chez les chevaux ont été rapportés dans plusieurs pays, mais il s’agit d’un diagnostic rare. Ce rapport décrit les observations cliniques, bactériologiques, histopathologiques et immunohistochimiques chez 6 poulains atteints de septicémie néonatale, chez lesquels a été isolé.Message clinique clé :La listériose est considérée comme rare chez les poulains nouveau-nés, mais elle doit être envisagée chez les poulains présentant une septicémie et des signes neurologiques. L’examen cytologique du liquide céphalorachidien et l’hémoculture sont essentiels au diagnostic, bien que l’isolement de soit difficile. Chez les poulains, le risque de mortalité est élevé.(Traduit par D Serge Messier).
Copyright and/or publishing rights held by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association.
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Publication Date: 2026-01-01 PubMed ID: 41586142PubMed Central: PMC12825671
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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.

Overview

  • This research article presents a case series of six neonatal foals diagnosed with septicemia caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a bacterium typically rare in horses but more common in ruminants.
  • The study highlights the clinical signs, diagnostic methods, and poor survival outcomes of Listeria infections in these foals, emphasizing the importance of considering this pathogen in neonatal foal septicemia cases.

Introduction to Listeria monocytogenes and Listeriosis

  • Pathogen description: Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic intracellular rod-shaped bacterium.
  • Host range: It can infect a wide variety of domestic and wild animals, with a particular prevalence in ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
  • Disease spectrum: Infected animals may display meningoencephalitis (brain inflammation), typhlocolitis (inflammation of the cecum and colon), septic arthritis, abortions, and septicemia, depending on the species and age.
  • Occurrence in horses: Listeriosis is uncommon in horses and rarely reported, especially in neonatal foals.

Case Series Description

  • Sample size: The study describes six neonatal foals diagnosed over a long period, from 1986 to 2024.
  • Diagnosis: In all cases, Listeria monocytogenes was isolated, confirming it as the causative agent.
  • Clinical signs:
    • Septicemia in neonates, characterized by systemic infection.
    • Neurological signs commonly observed, such as those related to meningoencephalitis.
  • Diagnostic methods:
    • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology was critical in detecting neurological involvement.
    • Blood culture testing helped identify bacteremia despite the difficulty of isolating L. monocytogenes.
    • Histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations were performed, allowing thorough characterization of infection and tissue involvement.

Clinical Significance and Outcomes

  • Rarity in foals: Although Listeria infection is rare in neonatal foals, it should be considered a differential diagnosis when foals present with septicemia and neurological symptoms.
  • Diagnostic challenges: Isolating Listeria monocytogenes from blood and CSF remains difficult, highlighting a need for multiple diagnostic approaches.
  • Prognosis: These foal cases demonstrate a high mortality risk, underscoring the severity of listeriosis in this age group.
  • Implication for veterinarians: Prompt recognition and testing for Listeria monocytogenes are vital to managing outbreaks or sporadic cases, although outcomes may often be poor.

Summary

  • This case series expands the veterinary understanding of Listeria monocytogenes in neonatal foals, highlighting its clinical presentation and the importance of combined diagnostic techniques.
  • The work underscores the need for vigilance in neonatal foal care when signs of septicemia and neurological disease appear, even though listeriosis remains rare in these animals.
  • Ultimately, this report alerts clinicians to consider listeriosis as a differential diagnosis and emphasizes the severe prognosis associated with such infections in foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Sjolin E, Espinosa D, Arroyo L, Kenney D, Lack A, Baird J. (2026). Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in foals: A case series (1986 to 2024). Can Vet J, 67(1), 43-49.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 2819-4403
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 67
Issue: 1
Pages: 43-49

Researcher Affiliations

Sjolin, Erika
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Espinosa, Daniela
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Arroyo, Luis
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Kenney, Daniel
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Lack, Amy
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Baird, John
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Listeriosis / veterinary
  • Listeriosis / diagnosis
  • Listeriosis / pathology
  • Listeriosis / microbiology
  • Listeria monocytogenes / isolation & purification
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Sepsis / veterinary
  • Sepsis / microbiology
  • Sepsis / diagnosis
  • Sepsis / pathology
  • Female
  • Male

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