Treatment of bacterial endocarditis in a horse.

The research article discusses a case of bacterial endocarditis in a yearling thoroughbred filly, diagnosed using echocardiography, and examines the subsequent treatment and complications arising from it. Despite achieving a bacteria-killing cure with penicillin, the horse developed sever mitral regurgitation due to valve scarring, which led to its demise.

Method of Diagnosis

• The filly was exhibited periodic fever and intermittent hind limb lameness which were symptomatic of a potential disease.
• An echocardiogram was performed, which allowed the researchers to diagnose the horse with bacterial endocarditis, specifically affecting its mitral valve.

Bacterial Identification & Treatment

• Blood tests were conducted where the Streptococcus bacteria was isolated, suggesting it as the cause of the endocarditis.
• Subsequently, the filly was treated with Penicillin, a common antibiotic used to treat various infections.
• This treatment resulted in the clearing of the bacteria from the horse’s system, described in the study as a “bacteriologic cure”.

Complications & Prognosis

• Despite the bacteriologic cure, the filly developed severe mitral regurgitation, a condition where the blood flow is not properly controlled due to a dysfunctional mitral valve.
• The issue was traced back to scarring of the mitral valve, most likely due to the initial infection and inflammation caused by the endocarditis.
• Unfortunately, complications arising from the severe mitral regurgitation led to the death of the filly.
• The researchers noted that bacterial endocarditis in horses generally implies a poor prognosis. Reasons for this include infrequent bacteriologic cures and often complications such as severe valvular insufficiency.