Pseudomonas-Enterobacter Co-Infection Drives Cellulitis and Lymphangitis in Equines: A Case Report.
Abstract: This case report detailed a rare co-infection of and in a 9-year-old warmblood mare, leading to severe cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis following traditional hoof blood-letting therapy. The mare exhibited acute limb swelling, fever, cutaneous ulceration, lymphatic dysfunction and unknown anemia. Comprehensive diagnostics, including bacterial culture, whole-genome sequencing, anti-elastin antibody (AEAb) ELISA, and diagnostic imaging, confirmed the pathogens causing cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis. AEAb levels were elevated, correlating with lymphatic degradation, while radiography and lymphangiography ruled out laminitis but identified tortuous lymphatic vessels. The treatment integrated systemic antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory therapy, combined decongestive therapy, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine, resulting in resolution of infection, improved hematological parameters, and restored athletic performance. The therapeutic regimen primarily included gentamicin, enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and the Wei Qi Booster. The case highlights the critical role of pathogen-directed antimicrobial selection and the potential benefits of combining conventional and holistic therapies. This report emphasizes the necessity of early, multifaceted interventions to prevent life-threatening complications in equine cellulitis-lymphangitis cases.
Publication Date: 2025-06-11 PubMed ID: 40559811PubMed Central: PMC12197406DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12060574Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research paper outlines a case study of an unusual co-infection of Pseudomonas and Enterobacter in a horse, which lead to severe cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis. Comprehensive diagnostic tests were carried out, combined with various therapies, which resulted in resolution of the infection.
Research objectives and methodology
- The study was conducted based on a case report of a 9-year-old mare who had a Pseudomonas-Enterobacter co-infection, resulting in severe cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis following a traditional hoof blood-letting therapy.
- This horse started to exhibit acute limb swelling, fever, cutaneous ulceration, lymphatic dysfunction, and unidentified anemia.
- Comprehensive diagnostic methods were used, including bacterial culture, whole-genome sequencing, anti-elastin antibody (AEAb) ELISA, and diagnostic imaging to confirm the pathogens responsible for causing cellulitis and secondary lymphangitis.
Findings
- The results of the diagnostic inputs showed an elevated AEAb level, which was associated with lymphatic degradation.
- Radiography and lymphangiography, another diagnostic tools employed, helped rule out laminitis – a disease equines generally suffer from, but identified tortuous lymphatic vessels.
- Post comprehensive analysis, a treatment plan was formed, which included systemic antimicrobials, anti-inflammatory therapy, combined decongestive therapy, and traditional Chinese herbal medicine.
Treatment outcomes
- As a result of the varied treatment approach, the infection was resolved, hematological parameters seemed to improve, and the horse’s athletic performance was restored.
- The treatment regimen mainly included gentamicin, enrofloxacin, oxytetracycline, and a Chinese herbal medicine called the Wei Qi Booster.
Key insights and implications
- The case study underscores the vital role that pathogen-directed antimicrobial selection plays, as also the potential advantages of combining both conventional and holistic therapies.
- This case report puts emphasis on the need for early and multifaceted intervention to avoid severe complications like life-threatening issues in cellulitis-lymphangitis cases in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Huang X, Deng R, Huang H, Xie H, Chen A.
(2025).
Pseudomonas-Enterobacter Co-Infection Drives Cellulitis and Lymphangitis in Equines: A Case Report.
Vet Sci, 12(6), 574.
https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12060574 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- Chi University, 9650 West Highway 318, Reddick, FL 32686, USA.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
- Guangdong Technological Engineering Research Center for Pet, 483 Wushanlu, Guangzhou 510640, China.
Grant Funding
- 32302940 / National Natural Science Foundation of China
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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