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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Med Sci / Systemic mycobacteriosis in an aborted thoroughbred fetus in...
The Journal of veterinary medical science2014; 76(12); 1617-1621; doi: 10.1292/jvms.14-0276

Systemic mycobacteriosis in an aborted thoroughbred fetus in Japan.

Abstract: A male Thoroughbred fetus was aborted on day 251 of pregnancy. Gross and histological examinations detected systemic granulomatous lesions in many superficial and visceral lymph nodes and organs including the liver, tonsils, lungs, thymus, spleen, right thyroid gland and gastrointestinal tract, and suppurative placentitis, pyogranulomatous amnionitis and intralesional acid-fast bacilli were also detected. An examination of the DNA base sequence of the β subunit of RNA polymerase demonstrated that Mycobacterium avium strain 104 had infected several organs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of equine fetal mycobacterial infection in Japan.
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Publication Date: 2014-08-21 PubMed ID: 25649944PubMed Central: PMC4300377DOI: 10.1292/jvms.14-0276Google 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 investigates the rare case of a thoroughbred fetus in Japan that was aborted due to systemic mycobacteriosis—an infection caused by Mycobacterium avium strain 104. This is the first such reported case in Japan.

Objective of the Research

  • The research aims to thoroughly examine and analyze an unusual instance of a thoroughbred fetus’ abortion on the 251st day of pregnancy, which was suspected to be caused by systemic mycobacteriosis, specifically caused by the Mycobacterium avium strain 104.

Methodology Employed

  • To establish the underlying cause of the abortion, the researchers carried out a comprehensive gross and histological examination of the fetus. This involved inspecting numerous superficial and visceral lymph nodes, as well as various organs such as the liver, tonsils, lungs, thymus, spleen, right thyroid gland, and gastrointestinal tract.
  • A DNA base sequence examination of the RNA polymerase’s β subunit was also conducted to detect the presence of the Mycobacterium avium strain 104.

Findings of the Research

  • Through their intensive examination, the researchers discovered systemic granulomatous lesions in many of the inspected lymph nodes and organs. This condition is characteristic of a mycobacterial infection like the one suspected.
  • Suppurative placentitis (an inflammation of the placenta characterized by the accumulation of pus) and pyogranulomatous amnionitis (an inflammation of the amniotic membrane) were also discovered, which typically indicate a serious bacterial infection.
  • In addition, intralesional acid-fast bacilli were found, which is a type of bacterium that is generally difficult to stain but, once stained, resists decolorization by acid and alcohol. This bacterium is closely associated with mycobacterial infections.
  • The DNA sequence examination confirmed the presence of Mycobacterium avium strain 104 in multiple organs, definitively pointing to systemic mycobacteriosis as the cause of the abortion.

Significance of the Research

  • This study contributes to our understanding of the causes of abortions in thoroughbreds, particularly in instances of mycobacterial infections. Despite being a single case study, its findings may have broader implications for the thoroughbred breeding industry in Japan and potentially elsewhere.
  • As the first reported case of equine fetal mycobacterial infection in Japan, this research highlights the need for increased vigilance in equine reproductive health and the potential risk of mycobacterial infections.

Cite This Article

APA
Sano Y, Matsuda K, Osaki K, Miyasho T, Tsuda T, Taniyama H. (2014). Systemic mycobacteriosis in an aborted thoroughbred fetus in Japan. J Vet Med Sci, 76(12), 1617-1621. https://doi.org/10.1292/jvms.14-0276

Publication

The Journal of veterinary medical science
ISSN: 1347-7439
NlmUniqueID: 9105360
Country: Japan
Language: English
Volume: 76
Issue: 12
Pages: 1617-1621

Researcher Affiliations

Sano, Yuto
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, Ebetsu, Hokkaido 069-8501, Japan.
Matsuda, Kazuya
    Osaki, Keisuke
      Miyasho, Taku
        Tsuda, Tomonori
          Taniyama, Hiroyuki

            MeSH Terms

            • Aborted Fetus / microbiology
            • Animals
            • Base Sequence
            • DNA Primers / genetics
            • Fatal Outcome
            • Female
            • Horse Diseases / microbiology
            • Horse Diseases / pathology
            • Horses
            • Japan
            • Male
            • Molecular Sequence Data
            • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology
            • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / pathology
            • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / veterinary
            • Mycobacterium avium / genetics
            • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
            • Pregnancy
            • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary

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            Citations

            This article has been cited 4 times.
            1. Li L, Maboni G, Lack A, Gomez DE. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in Horses: A Narrative Review.. Vet Sci 2023 Jul 6;10(7).
              doi: 10.3390/vetsci10070442pubmed: 37505847google scholar: lookup
            2. Narnaware SD, Jyotsana B, Ranjan R, Prakash V, Choudhary SS, Sahoo A. Case Report: Congenital tuberculosis in an aborted dromedary camel fetus.. Front Vet Sci 2022;9:956368.
              doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.956368pubmed: 35968023google scholar: lookup
            3. Kinoshita Y, Takechi M, Uchida-Fujii E, Miyazawa K, Nukada T, Niwa H. Ten cases of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis infections linked to equine abortions in Japan, 2018-2019.. Vet Med Sci 2021 May;7(3):621-625.
              doi: 10.1002/vms3.411pubmed: 33336899google scholar: lookup
            4. Vail KJ, Stranahan LW, Richardson LM, Yanchik AE, Arnold CE, Porter BF, Wiener DJ. Granulomatous Rhinitis in a Horse due to Mycobacterium intracellulare Infection.. J Comp Pathol 2019 May;169:30-34.
              doi: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2019.04.001pubmed: 31159948google scholar: lookup
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