Treatment of Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals: a review.
Abstract: Combined antimicrobial drug treatment was recommended for foals with Corynebacterium equi pneumonia. The preferred combination is orally administered erythromycin estolate (25 mg/kg of body weight, QID) plus rifampin (10 mg/kg, BID). Erythromycin estolate also can be combined for synergistic effect with sodium benzyl penicillin given IV (100,000 IU/kg, QID) or with ampicillin given IV (11 to 15 mg/kg, QID). A third choice is sodium benzyl penicillin IV with gentamicin IM (2.2 mg/kg, TID) or with kanamycin IM (10 mg/kg, QID). Gentamicin should be combined with penicillin G or ampicillin and not used for longer than one week without monitoring for nephrotoxicosis. Rifampin should be used only in combination with erythromycin or penicillin. Erythromycin or rifampin and gentamicin give antagonistic interactions in vitro. Chloramphenicol or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may be effective if given in high doses but are not preferred drugs. Treatment response should be monitored clinically and radiographically and treatment should be continued for 2 weeks after the foal is clinically and radiographically normal.
Publication Date: 1985-10-01 PubMed ID: 3902754
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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The research suggests the best treatments for foals with Corynebacterium equi pneumonia are combinations of specific antibiotics. These treatments need to be administered for a specific period, even after the foal appears to have recovered.
Treatment Recommendations
- The researchers recommend combined antimicrobial drug treatments for foals diagnosed with Corynebacterium equi pneumonia. The combination of orally administered erythromycin estolate and rifampin was determined as the most effective choice.
- Other effective combinations include erythromycin estolate with either sodium benzyl penicillin or ampicillin given intravenously (IV).
- A third potential combination suggested is sodium benzyl penicillin IV with either gentamicin or kanamycin administered intramuscularly (IM).
Specific Usage Guidelines
- The research indicates that gentamicin should be combined with penicillin G or ampicillin and not be used for more than one week without regular monitoring for nephrotoxicosis.
- Similarly, rifampin should only be used in combination with erythromycin or penicillin due to the risk of antagonistic interactions.
- While chloramphenicol or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole may also be effective if administered in high doses, they are not the preferred drugs due to risks and side effects.
Monitoring Treatment Response
- Measurement of the foal’s response to treatment is important. Both clinical and radiographic monitoring is suggested to identify the effectiveness of the treatment.
- Treatment should be continued for 2 weeks after the foal is clinically and radiographically normal. This is to ensure that the infection has been fully eliminated, reducing risks of relapses.
Cite This Article
APA
Prescott JF, Sweeney CR.
(1985).
Treatment of Corynebacterium equi pneumonia of foals: a review.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 187(7), 725-728.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Amikacin / administration & dosage
- Amikacin / therapeutic use
- Aminoglycosides / administration & dosage
- Aminoglycosides / therapeutic use
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Bronchopneumonia / drug therapy
- Bronchopneumonia / microbiology
- Bronchopneumonia / veterinary
- Chloramphenicol / administration & dosage
- Chloramphenicol / therapeutic use
- Corynebacterium Infections / drug therapy
- Corynebacterium Infections / veterinary
- Drug Combinations / administration & dosage
- Drug Combinations / therapeutic use
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Erythromycin / administration & dosage
- Erythromycin / therapeutic use
- Horses
- Humans
- Rifampin / administration & dosage
- Rifampin / therapeutic use
- Sulfadiazine / administration & dosage
- Sulfadiazine / therapeutic use
- Trimethoprim / administration & dosage
- Trimethoprim / therapeutic use
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Cohen ND, Slovis NM, Giguère S, Baker S, Chaffin MK, Bernstein LR. Gallium maltolate as an alternative to macrolides for treatment of presumed Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 May-Jun;29(3):932-9.
- Hildebrand F, Venner M, Giguère S. Efficacy of gamithromycin for the treatment of foals with mild to moderate bronchopneumonia.. J Vet Intern Med 2015 Jan;29(1):333-8.
- Willsie-Ediger SK, Stanford JF, Salzman GA, Bamberger DM. Spectrum of disease caused by Rhodococcus equi in human immunodeficiency virus infection: Report of a case and review of the literature.. Can J Infect Dis 1990 Fall;1(3):101-7.
- Takai S, Takeda K, Nakano Y, Karasawa T, Furugoori J, Sasaki Y, Tsubaki S, Higuchi T, Anzai T, Wada R, Kamada M. Emergence of rifampin-resistant Rhodococcus equi in an infected foal.. J Clin Microbiol 1997 Jul;35(7):1904-8.
- Nay TS. Extra-pulmonary Rhodococcus equi in a thoroughbred foal.. Can Vet J 1996 Oct;37(10):623-4.
- Kanaly ST, Hines SA, Palmer GH. Transfer of a CD4+ Th1 cell line to nude mice effects clearance of Rhodococcus equi from the lung.. Infect Immun 1996 Apr;64(4):1126-32.
- Prescott JF. Rhodococcus equi: an animal and human pathogen.. Clin Microbiol Rev 1991 Jan;4(1):20-34.
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