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Abortion in a thoroughbred mare associated with an infection with avirulent Rhodococcus equi.
Y Nakamura1, H Nishi, Y Katayama
1Livestock Hygiene Service Centre of Hidaka, Shizunai, Hokkaido 056-0003, Japan.
The Veterinary Record
|September 11, 2007
Summary
A mare aborted due to Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) infection. Avirulent R. equi was identified in the fetus and mare, suggesting a potential cause for abortion in horses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Equine Reproduction
- Microbiology
Background:
- Equine abortion can have various causes, impacting reproductive efficiency.
- Identifying causative agents is crucial for herd health management and prevention strategies.
Observation:
- An eight-year-old thoroughbred mare experienced late-term abortion (196 days).
- Fetal examination revealed oedema and petechial haemorrhages in the amnion and umbilical cord.
- Rhodococcus equi was isolated from fetal tissues, intrauterine fluid, and the dam's feces.
Findings:
- Histological examination of the fetus showed no significant lesions, but immunohistochemistry confirmed R. equi in fetal lung.
- The mare exhibited a high antibody titer against R. equi post-abortion.
- PCR and mouse pathogenicity tests identified the R. equi isolates as avirulent.
- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed a single VspI profile for all R. equi isolates.
Implications:
- This case highlights avirulent Rhodococcus equi as a potential cause of equine abortion.
- Further research is needed to understand the pathogenesis of avirulent R. equi in equine pregnancy.
- Diagnostic protocols for equine abortion should consider R. equi, even in avirulent forms.
