Musculoskeletal Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in horses: 35 cases (1999-2009).

The research paper discusses a study on horses affected with Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections which cause musculoskeletal diseases and lameness. The study delves into the clinical course, outcome, and treatment methods of these infections among horses.

Methodology

• The study used a retrospective case series method; it looked back at similar cases that occurred in the past to get necessary data. This involved a sample of 35 horses that were diagnosed with lameness due to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection from 1999 to 2009.
• Clinical and clinicopathologic data for each of the horses in the sample were collected and analyzed.

Findings

• Of the total sample, 91.4% (32 horses) had grade 4/5 lameness with 8.6% (three horses) representing severe cases with grade 5/5 lameness.
• Associated with the infection, abscesses were found, often diagnosed clinically or through ultrasonographic examinations. More than 70% of these abscesses were located in the axillary or triceps region of the horses.
• Other common signs of infection were diffuse lymphangitis (11.4%), osteomyelitis (5.7%) and septic arthritis (5.7%).
• Clinicopathologic abnormalities were common in horses, characterized by neutrophilia (96.4%), anemia (67.8%), hypoalbuminemia (66.6%) and hyperfibrinogenemia (42.8%).

Treatment

• The treatment methods included surgical drainage of the abscess performed on 60% of the horses. Ultrasonography was key in exact location of the lesions and subsequently facilitated surgical drainage.
• Almost all horses (97.1%) were given anti-inflammatory medications, and a vast majority (85.7%) received antimicrobials.

Conclusion

• While Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection typically results in severe lameness in horses, it may have a relatively favorable prognosis.
• However, diagnostics can be challenging, with blood work results indicating inflammation being nonspecific. Anemia, hyperglobulinemia, and increased synergistic hemolysis inhibition titers are common.
• Worryingly, if Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection leads to osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, the chances of survival for the horse are significantly diminished.