An atypical extrapulmonary presentation of rhodococcus equi infection in a foal: a case report

Rhodococcus equi infection in foals is primarily associated with pulmonary disease but may also present with extrapulmonary manifestations (Giguère et al. 2011; Reuss et al. 2009). Hemolytic anemia is a rare and poorly described complication, with only a single previous report of presumed immune-mediated hemolytic anemia in foals affected by R. equi. This case report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, disease progression, and postmortem examination of a 4-month-old Holsteiner foal with confirmed R. equi infection and severe anemia consistent with a presumed immune-mediated hemolytic process. Despite intensive antimicrobial and supportive therapy, the foal's condition progressively deteriorated, and euthanasia was performed.