Rhodococcus equi.
Abstract: This article summarizes recent advances in understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, immunology, treatment, and control of Rhodococcus equi infections in foals. Our understanding of these aspects currently is sufficient to ensure control of this problem on affected farms and in infected foals. More information, however, is needed on factors predisposing foals to R. equi pneumonia, in particular, the nature of the naturally occurring cellular immunodeficiency in foals of 2 to 4 months of age, which also predisposes them to severe respiratory infection with certain other intracellular pathogens. In addition, the relative importance of R. equi pneumonia in the context of other causes of lower respiratory tract infection of foals needs to be defined.
Publication Date: 1993-08-01 PubMed ID: 8358650DOI: 10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30404-2Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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Summary
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The research article provides an overview of recent progress in understanding the Rhodococcus equi infections in foals, focusing on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, immunology, treatment, and control measures. Despite this knowledge, further research is required on conditions that make foals susceptible to R. equi pneumonia, specifically the cellular immunodeficiency in 2 to 4-month-old foals, and its comparative importance among other causes of lower respiratory tract infection in foals.
Understanding Rhodococcus equi Infections in Foals
- The research article covers the advances in understanding the infections caused by Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) in foals. It focuses on the disease’s epidemiology, the process by which it is caused (pathogenesis), clinical and laboratory diagnosis, immunology, treatment, and the measures to control its spread.
- R. equi is a bacterium responsible for causing pneumonia in foals, typically within their first six months. It’s a significant health issue for the horse industry worldwide because of its impact on the health and survival of young horses.
The Need for Additional Research
- Despite the advances in understanding R. equi infections, the researchers note that additional research is needed around the factors that predispose foals to R. equi pneumonia. This is particularly with respect to a cellular immunodeficiency that occurs in 2 to 4-month-old foals. This deficiency not only makes them more susceptible to R. equi, but also to other severe respiratory infections caused by different intracellular pathogens.
- The researchers also point out that the relative significance of R. equi pneumonia among other causes of lower respiratory tract infection in foals is not clearly defined and requires further study.
Implication of the Research
- The study adds to the existing knowledge base about R. equi infections, providing a comprehensive review of the current state of understanding of this complex disease in foals, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, immunology, treatment, and control methods. This will aid veterinarians and farm owners in mitigating its impact and controlling its spread.
- The identified gaps in understanding, such as factors predisposing foals to R. equi pneumonia and the relative importance of R. equi among other diseases, suggest areas for future research that can further improve disease control strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Prescott JF, Hoffman AM.
(1993).
Rhodococcus equi.
Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract, 9(2), 375-384.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0749-0739(17)30404-2 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
MeSH Terms
- Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
- Animals
- Horse Diseases
- Horses
- Rhodococcus equi
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Vanniasinkam T, Barton MD, Heuzenroeder MW. B-Cell epitope mapping of the VapA protein of Rhodococcus equi: implications for early detection of R. equi disease in foals. J Clin Microbiol 2001 Apr;39(4):1633-7.
- Scott P. Differentiation, regulation, and death of T helper cell subsets during infection with Leishmania major. Immunol Res 1998;17(1-2):229-38.
- Nay TS. Extra-pulmonary Rhodococcus equi in a thoroughbred foal. Can Vet J 1996 Oct;37(10):623-4.
- Netherwood T, Wood JL, Townsend HG, Mumford JA, Chanter N. Foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994 in the United Kingdom associated with Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Strongyloides westeri and Cryptosporidium spp. Epidemiol Infect 1996 Oct;117(2):375-83.
- Takai S, Ikeda T, Sasaki Y, Watanabe Y, Ozawa T, Tsubaki S, Sekizaki T. Identification of virulent Rhodococcus equi by amplification of gene coding for 15- to 17-kilodalton antigens. J Clin Microbiol 1995 Jun;33(6):1624-7.
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