Pericarditis and pleuritis caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in a horse.

The research article describes a unique case of a 13-year-old horse that was diagnosed with pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. This is the first time such a case has been reported in veterinary medicine.

Case Presentation

• The subject of the study was a 13-year-old Oldenburg mare that was not active and showed minor signs of colic, a common disorder of the digestive system in horses.
• Upon examination, the horse was diagnosed with Pericardial tamponade, a serious medical condition in which fluid in the pericardium (the sac around the heart) builds up and interferes with the performance of the heart. This was due to fibrinoeffusive pericarditis, which is an inflammation of the pericardium.

Diagnosis and Lab Analysis

• The pericardial fluid was analyzed using cytologic and biochemical procedures and was found to have characteristics of a septic effusion, referring to a bacterial infection leading to a buildup of pus in the space around the heart.
• Moreover, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, the bacterium that causes pigeon fever, was identified from the pericardial fluid by bacteriologic culture, a technical procedure to promote the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

Treatment and Outcome

• Treatment involved draining the fluid from the pericardial sac and washing it out (lavage), administering antimicrobials directly into the pericardial sac (intrapericardial) as well as throughout the body (systemic), and finally a course of corticosteroids.
• This approach led to a successful recovery for the horse, which confers that this treatment method can be effective against pericarditis caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.

Significance of the Study

• According to the authors, this study presents the first identified case of pericarditis linked to Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis in a horse, marking a new understanding in veterinary medicine regarding the potential health implications this bacterium can have in horses.