Pneumonia in horses induced by intrapulmonary inoculation of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.
Abstract: To evaluate the possibility that Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S.z) the causative bacterial agent of equine shipping fever pneumonia (ESFP), as well as to investigate its pathogenesis, 10 horses (seven Thoroughbreds and three Anglo-Arab species, ranging from 2-4 years in age) were experimentally inoculated, via an endoscope, into bronchus of the lung lobe with a dose of 30 ml of 1-7 x 10(8) CFU/ml of S.z. After inoculation, autopsy and pathological examinations were sequentially conducted 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 20 hr and 2 weeks later. Pneumonia induced by the intrapulmonary inoculation of S.z was characterized by small purulent pneumonic foci in the inoculated areas. With the lapse of time, these foci developed into serous hemorrhagic pneumonia, hemorrhagic purulent pneumonia, and then purulent, coagulation necrotic pneumonia. These pathomorphological characteristics of experimental pneumonia closely resemble those naturally occurring ESFP. There is strong evidence that S.z. is implicated as a causal factor in ESFP. S.z. grew in the mucus, exudate, and pulmonary effusions. Further, the bacteria showed resistance against phagocytosis by pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) and neutrophils. Inhibition of PAM and neutrophil function is considered to be important in the development of pneumonia. With the progression of the disease, the neutrophils often adhered to the endothelial surface of the alveolar capillary lumen and played a role in generating coagulation necrosis of lung tissues.
Publication Date: 2003-08-27 PubMed ID: 12939505DOI: 10.1292/jvms.65.787Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research investigates the effects of the bacteria, Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S.z), in causing equine pneumonia, by examining the progression of the disease after horses were artificially infected with it.
Objective
To determine how S.z impacts horses and ascertain its role in the development of equine shipping fever pneumonia (ESFP).
Methodology
- 10 horses, specifically seven Thoroughbreds and three Anglo-Arab species, aging between 2-4 years, were deliberately infected with S.z, by injecting it into the bronchus of their lungs.
- The horses were then inspected at sequential intervals post inoculation: 30 min, 1, 2, 3, 4, 17, 20 hr and 2 weeks later.
Findings
- Pneumonia symptoms were identified by small purulent pneumonic foci in the areas where the bacteria were introduced.
- These symptoms developed into serous hemorrhagic pneumonia, hemorrhagic purulent pneumonia, and finally into purulent, coagulation necrotic pneumonia, over time.
- The progression of the pneumonia symptoms resembled those naturally observed in horses with ESFP.
Conclusions
- The research further solidifies the link between S.z and ESFP, demonstrating that S.z can indeed cause pneumonia in horses.
- S.z was found to proliferate in the mucus, exudate, and pulmonary effusions of the horses.
- The bacteria also showed resistance against the phagocytic properties of pulmonary alveolar macrophages (PAM) and neutrophils, immune cells crucial in the defense against pathogens. This resistance is thought to play a vital role in the progression of pneumonia.
- As pneumonia developed, neutrophils were observed adhering to the endothelial surface of the alveolar capillary lumen, contributing to the coagulation necrosis of lung tissues.
Cite This Article
APA
Yoshikawa H, Yasu T, Ueki H, Oyamada T, Oishi H, Anzai T, Oikawa M, Yoshikawa T.
(2003).
Pneumonia in horses induced by intrapulmonary inoculation of Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus.
J Vet Med Sci, 65(7), 787-792.
https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.65.787 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Kitasato University, Towada, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses / microbiology
- Lung / microbiology
- Lung / pathology
- Male
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / microbiology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / pathology
- Pneumonia, Bacterial / veterinary
- Streptococcus equi / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Mita H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Kuwano A, Sato F. Concentration of cephalothin in body fluids and tissue samples of Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2022 Sep;33(3):51-54.
- Miller AB, Harris PA, Barker VD, Adams AA. Short-term transport stress and supplementation alter immune function in aged horses. PLoS One 2021;16(8):e0254139.
- Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Tamura N, Mita H, Fukuda K, Kaimachi M, Suzuki Y, Enoki Y, Taguchi K, Matsumoto K, Toutain PL, Bousquet-Melou A, Kasashima Y. Rational dosage regimens for cephalothin and cefazolin using pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics analysis in healthy horses. Equine Vet J 2021 Nov;53(6):1239-1249.
- Endo Y, Ishikawa Y, Arima D, Mae N, Iwamoto Y, Korosue K, Tsuzuki N, Hobo S. Effects of pre-shipping enrofloxacin administration on fever and blood properties in adult Thoroughbred racehorses transported a long distance. J Vet Med Sci 2017 Mar 18;79(3):464-466.
- Endo Y, Tsuchiya T, Omura T, Nakai K, Korosue K, Ishimaru M, Ishikawa Y, Hobo S. Effects of pre-shipping marbofloxacin administration on fever and blood properties in healthy Thoroughbreds transported a long distance. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Jan;77(1):75-9.
- Endo Y, Hobo S, Korosue K, Ootsuka K, Kitauchi A, Kikkawa R, Hidaka Y, Hagio M, Tsuzuki N. Effects of low-dose G-CSF formulation on hematology in healthy horses after long-distance transportation. J Vet Med Sci 2015 Apr;77(4):507-9.
- Endo Y, Tsuchiya T, Akiyama K, Takebe N, Nakai K, Korosue K, Ishimaru M, Tsuzuki N, Hobo S. Comparison of the Occurrence of Transportation-associated Fever in 2 Years Old Thoroughbreds before and after Introduction of Prophylactic Marbofloxacin Administration. J Equine Sci 2014;25(4):79-81.
- Wood JL, Newton JR, Chanter N, Mumford JA. Association between respiratory disease and bacterial and viral infections in British racehorses. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jan;43(1):120-6.
- Jurisic L, Auerswald H, Marcacci M, Di Giallonardo F, Coetzee LM, Curini V, Averaimo D, Ortiz-Baez AS, Cammà C, Di Teodoro G, Richt JA, Holmes EC, Lorusso A. Insect-specific Alphamesonivirus-1 (Mesoniviridae) in lymph node and lung tissues from two horses with acute respiratory syndrome. J Virol 2025 Feb 25;99(2):e0214424.
- Turner CE, Bubba L, Efstratiou A. Pathogenicity Factors in Group C and G Streptococci. Microbiol Spectr 2019 May;7(3).
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