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Rhodococcus equi Infections in Dogs
L K Bryan1, S D Clark1, J Díaz-Delgado1
11 Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
Veterinary Pathology
|June 18, 2016
Summary
Rhodococcus equi can cause severe internal infections in dogs, including endophthalmitis and endocarditis. Immunocompromised dogs are particularly at risk for this serious bacterial infection.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Rhodococcus equi is an important pathogen in foals, but its role in companion animals is less understood.
- Canine infections with R. equi can lead to severe, systemic disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe clinical cases of Rhodococcus equi infection in dogs.
- To characterize the virulence factors of R. equi isolates from dogs.
- To identify risk factors associated with R. equi infection in dogs.
Main Methods:
- Case review of Rhodococcus equi infections in dogs from 2003-2014.
- Pathological examination of affected tissues to identify lesions.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of bacterial isolates for virulence-associated plasmid (vap) genes.
Main Results:
- Five cases of R. equi infection in dogs were identified.
- Three dogs presented with previously undescribed severe internal lesions: endophthalmitis, endocarditis, and suppurative pleuropneumonia.
- One isolate carried the novel vapN-associated plasmid (pVAPN), not previously seen in companion animal isolates.
- Four dogs were immunocompromised due to immunosuppressive drugs or endocrinopathies.
Conclusions:
- Rhodococcus equi can cause significant and severe infections in dogs.
- Immunocompromised dogs, including those with endocrinopathies, are at increased risk.
- The presence of novel virulence plasmids like pVAPN in canine isolates warrants further investigation.
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