Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Streptococcus equi meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Finno, Carrie et al.
- Affiliation:
- Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-month-old American Paint Horse colt was brought in because he suddenly started having trouble walking, had a tilt to his head on the left side, and was running a fever. He had previously been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus equi, which is known to cause a disease called strangles. Blood tests showed signs of infection and inflammation, and a sample from his spinal fluid indicated serious issues, confirming he had a brain and spinal cord infection caused by the same bacteria. Despite treatment with antibiotics and fluids, the foal developed a serious condition involving fluid in the abdomen and was sadly euthanized. A postmortem exam confirmed the brain infection and other serious complications.
Abstract
CASE DESCRIPTION: A 4-month-old American Paint Horse colt was evaluated because of acute onset of ataxia, left-sided head tilt, and fever and a recently noticed heart murmur. Upper respiratory tract infection caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi had been diagnosed at 3 months of age. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Hematologic abnormalities included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, and mild anemia. Analysis of a CSF sample revealed high total protein concentration and total nucleated cell count; nucleated cells consisted mainly of degenerate neutrophils. Results of a real-time PCR assay were positive for S equi subsp equi, and a diagnosis of S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis was made. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Treatment included administration of potassium penicillin and fluids, but the foal developed uroperitoneum and was subsequently euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed meningoencephalomyelitis, and S equi subsp equi was cultured from a brain aspirate. Additional findings included suppurative cystitis with rupture and neutrophilic myocarditis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest that S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for foals with neurologic signs that have a history of strangles or exposure to affected horses.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16948585/