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Home / Equine Research Bank / Can Vet J / Rhodococcus equi pleuropneumonia in an adult horse.
The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne2002; 43(9); 706-708;

Rhodococcus equi pleuropneumonia in an adult horse.

Abstract: A 10-year-old warmblood gelding was evaluated for intermittent pyrexia, dullness, weight loss, and progressive respiratory disease. Multifocal necrotic pneumonia and pleuritis due to Rhodococcus equi infection was diagnosed. Case management is discussed, as well as factors that may have led to this rare cause of pleuropneumonia in an adult horse.
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Publication Date: 2002-09-21 PubMed ID: 12240529PubMed Central: PMC339555
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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.

The paper discusses a rare case of Rhodococcus equi pleuropneumonia, a serious lung infection, in a 10-year-old warmblood gelding horse, detailing the symptoms, diagnosis, and factors contributing to the disease.

Case Presentation

  • The research paper begins with the case presentation of a 10-year-old warmblood gelding horse that was exhibiting unusual symptoms. These symptoms included intermittent pyrexia (fever), dullness (a lack of energy, or lethargy), weight loss, and progressive respiratory disease.

Diagnosis

  • The clinicians in this study performed various tests and examinations to determine the cause of the horse’s illness. Multifocal necrotic pneumonia and pleuritis – inflammation of the tissues that line the lungs and chest cavity – were identified. This was an unusual finding, considering the horse’s age, breed, and overall health condition prior to the infectious disease.
  • A further microbiological examination revealed that the infection was caused by Rhodococcus equi, a bacterium usually affecting young foals (horses less than one year old), making it a rare cause of pleuropneumonia in an adult horse.

Case Management

  • The paper then discusses the management and treatment of this case. Given the uncommon nature of this infection in an adult horse, there is no established protocol for treatment, so strategies must be tailored for each individual case.

Discussion of Contributing Factors

  • The research paper also delves into a discussion of the potential factors that could have led to such an unusual infection in an adult horse. These factors might include environmental conditions, the health status of the horse prior to infection, and whether these might have compromised the horse’s immune response, making it susceptible to Rhodococcus equi infection.

Conclusion

  • As an exploratory investigation into a rare occurrence, this paper seeks not only to provide insights for similar future cases, but also to encourage continued research into the conditions and factors that can lead to an adult horse contracting Rhodococcus equi pleuropneumonia.

Cite This Article

APA
Vengust M, Staempfli H, Prescott JF. (2002). Rhodococcus equi pleuropneumonia in an adult horse. Can Vet J, 43(9), 706-708.

Publication

The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne
ISSN: 0008-5286
NlmUniqueID: 0004653
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 43
Issue: 9
Pages: 706-708

Researcher Affiliations

Vengust, Modest
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1.
Staempfli, Henry
    Prescott, John F

      MeSH Terms

      • Actinomycetales Infections / microbiology
      • Actinomycetales Infections / veterinary
      • Age Factors
      • Animals
      • Fatal Outcome
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Male
      • Pleuropneumonia / microbiology
      • Pleuropneumonia / veterinary
      • Rhodococcus equi / isolation & purification
      • Rhodococcus equi / pathogenicity

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      This article includes 15 references
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      Citations

      This article has been cited 4 times.
      1. Sting R, Schwabe I, Kieferle M, Münch M, Rau J. Fatal Infection in an Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) Caused by Pathogenic Rhodococcus equi.. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 19;12(10).
        doi: 10.3390/ani12101303pubmed: 35625149google scholar: lookup
      2. Aslam MW, Lau SF, Chin CSL, Ahmad NI, Rahman NA, Kuppusamy K, Omar S, Radzi R. Clinicopathological and radiographic features in 40 cats diagnosed with pulmonary and cutaneous Rhodococcus equi infection (2012-2018).. J Feline Med Surg 2020 Aug;22(8):774-790.
        doi: 10.1177/1098612X19886395pubmed: 32400257google scholar: lookup
      3. Majidzadeh M, Fatahi-Bafghi M. Current taxonomy of Rhodococcus species and their role in infections.. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2018 Nov;37(11):2045-2062.
        doi: 10.1007/s10096-018-3364-xpubmed: 30159693google scholar: lookup
      4. Gudeta DD, Moodley A, Bortolaia V, Guardabassi L. vanO, a new glycopeptide resistance operon in environmental Rhodococcus equi isolates.. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2014;58(3):1768-70.
        doi: 10.1128/AAC.01880-13pubmed: 24342631google scholar: lookup
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