Peritonitis associated with Actinobacillus equuli in horses: 15 cases (1982-1992).
Abstract: Peritonitis attributable to Actinobacillus equuli was diagnosed in 15 horses examined at the veterinary center between 1982 and 1992. In 13 horses, historical findings included acute onset of mild to severe signs of abdominal pain, lethargy, and inappetence. Two other horses had a history of weight loss for 3 to 6 weeks prior to examination. Diagnosis was based on the physical signs and laboratory findings, including results of peritoneal fluid analysis (gross characteristics, total protein, total and differential nucleated cell counts, and morphologic findings) and culture of A equuli. Actinobacillus equuli was consistently susceptible in vitro to penicillin, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, and aminoglycosides. All horses in the study had marked clinical improvement within 24 to 48 hours of commencing antibiotic and supportive treatment. Antibiotic treatment was continued for variable periods, depending on the horse, but ranged from 5 to 21 days. In 11 horses for which follow-up information was available, long-term response to treatment was excellent, with horses returning to original activity.
Publication Date: 1994-07-15 PubMed ID: 7928617
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses the diagnosis and treatment of peritonitis caused by Actinobacillus equuli in horses, based on 15 cases observed between 1982 and 1992. It details the signs of the disease, the diagnosis process, and the response to antibiotic treatment.
Overview of the Cases
- The research conducted centered around peritonitis diagnosis in horses, which was attributed to Actinobacillus equuli. This diagnosis was determined for 15 horses over the span of a decade from 1982 to 1992 at a veterinary center.
- The majority of these horses, 13 out of 15, exhibited acute symptoms such as signs of abdominal pain varying from mild to severe-levels, lethargy, and lack of appetite.
- The remaining two horses showed signs of weight loss for a period of between three to six weeks before they were examined.
Diagnosis
- The diagnosis was made based on the physical signs exhibited by the horses and the laboratory findings. The laboratory investigations comprised of an analysis of peritoneal fluid looking at its gross characteristics, total protein levels, total and differential nucleated cell counts, and morphological findings.
- The presence of Actinobacillus equuli was confirmed through a culture test, adding further reliability to the diagnosis.
Treatment and Response
- The A. equuli strain was found to be consistently susceptible to certain antibiotics, including penicillin, trimethoprim/sulfadiazine, and aminoglycosides, in in-vitro tests. This finding would have guided the treatment approach for the horses in the study.
- All the horses included in the study showed marked improvements in their clinical conditions within 24 to 48 hours of starting their antibiotic treatment and supportive care.
- The duration of the antibiotic treatment was individualized for each horse, with the treatment period ranging from 5 to 21 days.
- Long-term treatment results were recorded for 11 horses, and these showed excellent results. These horses were reported to have returned to their original activity levels, which signifies the effectiveness of the given treatment strategy.
Cite This Article
APA
Golland LC, Hodgson DR, Hodgson JL, Brownlow MA, Hutchins DR, Rawlinson RJ, Collins MB, McClintock SA, Raisis AL.
(1994).
Peritonitis associated with Actinobacillus equuli in horses: 15 cases (1982-1992).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 205(2), 340-343.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health, University of Sydney Camden, NSW, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Actinobacillus / isolation & purification
- Actinobacillus Infections / drug therapy
- Actinobacillus Infections / microbiology
- Actinobacillus Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Ascitic Fluid / microbiology
- Ascitic Fluid / veterinary
- Female
- Follow-Up Studies
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Male
- Peritonitis / drug therapy
- Peritonitis / microbiology
- Peritonitis / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Treatment Outcome
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Hedberg-Alm Y, Tydén E, Tamminen LM, Lindström L, Anlén K, Svensson M, Riihimäki M. Clinical features and treatment response to differentiate idiopathic peritonitis from non-strangulating intestinal infarction of the pelvic flexure associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection in the horse.. BMC Vet Res 2022 Apr 23;18(1):149.
- Odelros E, Kendall A, Hedberg-Alm Y, Pringle J. Idiopathic peritonitis in horses: a retrospective study of 130 cases in Sweden (2002-2017).. Acta Vet Scand 2019 Apr 25;61(1):18.
- Ashhurst-Smith C, Norton R, Thoreau W, Peel MM. Actinobacillus equuli septicemia: an unusual zoonotic infection.. J Clin Microbiol 1998 Sep;36(9):2789-90.
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