Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Generalized sarcoidosis associated with hypertrophic osteopathy in a Standardbred racehorse.
- Journal:
- Journal of equine veterinary science
- Year:
- 2025
- Authors:
- Charles, A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences of Equids
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A Standardbred racehorse was brought in because it was having trouble exercising, losing weight, running a fever, and showing changes in its face. X-rays and ultrasounds showed swelling in the bones of its face and other areas, but tests ruled out dental or sinus issues. While in the hospital, the horse developed more deformities in its legs and skin problems. Further X-rays showed similar swelling in the leg bones, which suggested a condition called hypertrophic osteopathy (HO), and skin samples indicated a disease known as equine sarcoidosis (ES). Unfortunately, the horse's health quickly declined, and it was euthanized; post-mortem tests confirmed widespread disease and identified a virus called equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) as a contributing factor.
Abstract
A Standardbred racehorse was presented for exercise intolerance, weight loss, pyrexia and facial deformity. Radiography and ultrasonography revealed periostitis and regional soft tissue swelling of maxillary bones. Computed tomography excluded any dental or sinus origin of these abnormalities. Further deformities on distal limbs and skin lesions appeared during hospitalization. Radiography identified bilateral periostitis and soft tissue swelling in the distal radius and metatarsal bones, as observed in the head, suggestive of hypertrophic osteopathy (HO). Skin biopsies revealed granulomatous dermatitis, indicating equine sarcoidosis (ES). The horse was euthanized due to rapid deterioration of his condition. Post-mortem examination and histopathology revealed splenomegaly, several pulmonary nodules and disseminated granulomatous lesions. These findings confirmed the diagnosis of generalized ES, or equine idiopathic systemic granulomatous disease. The concurrent with HO was probably associated with the intrathoracic pathology. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on pooled tissues identified equine herpesvirus 5 (EHV-5) DNA.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39615612/