Rhodococcus equi

This article summarizes recent advances in understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical and laboratory diagnosis, immunology, treatment, and control of Rhodococcus equi infections in foals. Our understanding of these aspects currently is sufficient to ensure control of this problem on affected farms and in infected foals. More information, however, is needed on factors predisposing foals to R. equi pneumonia, in particular, the nature of the naturally occurring cellular immunodeficiency in foals of 2 to 4 months of age, which also predisposes them to severe respiratory infection with certain other intracellular pathogens. In addition, the relative importance of R. equi pneumonia in the context of other causes of lower respiratory tract infection of foals needs to be defined.