TY - JOUR
T1 - Streptococcus equi meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal
AU - Finno, Carrie J
AU - Pusterla, Nicola
AU - Aleman, Monica R
AU - Mohr, Frederick C
AU - Price, Teena
AU - George, Jeanne
AU - Holmberg, Tara
PY - 2006/9/1
Y1 - 2006/9/1
N2 - 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.
AB - 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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U2 - 10.2460/javma.229.5.721
DO - 10.2460/javma.229.5.721
M3 - Article
C2 - 16948585
AN - SCOPUS:33748541081
VL - 229
SP - 721
EP - 724
JO - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
JF - Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
SN - 0003-1488
IS - 5
ER -