Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Zoonotic aortic graft infection by Streptococcusequi.
- Journal:
- Journal of infection and chemotherapy : official journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy
- Year:
- 2026
- Authors:
- Karaushi, Haruka et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Infection Control · Japan
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 69-year-old woman with high blood pressure had surgery seven years ago to replace part of her aorta with a stent graft. She went to the hospital because she had a fever and a cough. Tests showed that her aorta was enlarged and there was fluid around the graft, which suggested an infection. Blood tests revealed that she had an infection caused by a type of bacteria called Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, which is usually found in horses, and she worked as a horse trainer. After developing a serious complication, she had emergency surgery to replace the graft again and was treated with antibiotics. Thankfully, her recovery went smoothly after the surgery.
Abstract
A 69-year-old woman with hypertension had undergone total arch replacement with an open stent graft 7 years prior. She was referred to our hospital for evaluation after experiencing fever (>38 °C) and cough. Chest radiography revealed a prominent aortic arch, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography demonstrated aortic arch enlargement and peri-graft fluid collection containing air. These findings indicated graft infection and prompted immediate intervention. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus, a zoonotic pathogen associated with horses. Notably, the patient worked as a horse trainer. On hospital day 6, she developed severe hemoptysis due to an aortobronchial fistula caused by stent graft infection and underwent emergency re-replacement of the aortic arch. Intraoperative specimens also yielded the same pathogen. Consequently, she was treated with ampicillin, and her postoperative course was uneventful. Although rare, zoonotic pathogens can cause vascular graft infections.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41412304/