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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Rhodococcus equi: clinical manifestations, virulence, and im...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2011; 25(6); 1221-1230; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00804.x

Rhodococcus equi: clinical manifestations, virulence, and immunity.

Abstract: Pneumonia is a major cause of disease and death in foals. Rhodococcus equi, a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen, is a common cause of pneumonia in foals. This article reviews the clinical manifestations of infection caused by R. equi in foals and summarizes current knowledge regarding mechanisms of virulence of, and immunity to, R. equi. A complementary consensus statement providing recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of infections caused by R. equi in foals can be found in the same issue of the Journal.
Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2011-10-07 PubMed ID: 22092609DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00804.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article discusses Rhodococcus equi, a prominent cause of pneumonia in foals, and delves into its clinical manifestations, virulence mechanisms, and the foals’ immunity against it. The paper also provides a complementary consensus statement giving recommendations on diagnosing, treating, controlling, and preventing the infections caused by R. equi in foals.

Clinical Manifestations of Rhodococcus equi

  • The research describes the clinical manifestations of Rhodococcus equi — a dangerous pathogen that causes pneumonia in foals. The authors outline the symptoms typically associated with the infection, providing diagnostic clues for veterinary practitioners.

Virulence of the Pathogen

  • The next aspect the authors focus on is the virulence, or the capacity of the pathogen to cause disease. They illustrate how Rhodococcus equi, although a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen, presents a significant threat to foals due to its virulence characteristics.

Immunity Response to Rhodococcus equi

  • The authors also delve into the immunity of the foals and how they respond to the infection caused by R. equi. They describe the immune defenses deployed by the organism against this pathogen.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Control

  • This article also provides a consensus statement providing holistic guidelines concerning the diagnosis, treatment, and control of infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. This includes recommendations on appropriate diagnostic procedures, treatment protocols, and preventive measures to control the spread of the pathogen.

Prevention of Rhodococcus equi Infections

  • Finally, the article provides preventive strategies for Rhodococcus equi infections. It includes how to reduce the risk of infections, focusing on both environmental management and potentially protective treatments that could be administered to foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Giguère S, Cohen ND, Chaffin MK, Hines SA, Hondalus MK, Prescott JF, Slovis NM. (2011). Rhodococcus equi: clinical manifestations, virulence, and immunity. J Vet Intern Med, 25(6), 1221-1230. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00804.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 25
Issue: 6
Pages: 1221-1230

Researcher Affiliations

Giguère, S
  • Department of Large Animal Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA. gigueres@uga.edu
Cohen, N D
    Chaffin, M Keith
      Hines, S A
        Hondalus, M K
          Prescott, J F
            Slovis, N M

              MeSH Terms

              • Actinomycetales Infections / immunology
              • Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
              • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
              • Animals
              • Horse Diseases / microbiology
              • Horse Diseases / pathology
              • Horses
              • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity
              • Rhodococcus equi / physiology
              • Virulence

              Citations

              This article has been cited 44 times.
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