Extrapulmonary Disorders Associated with Rhodococcus Equi Infection in Foals: 150 Cases (1987–2007)
October 2009
in “
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association
”
TLDR Foals with Rhodococcus equi infection often have other health problems that lower their chances of survival.
The study analyzed 150 foals with Rhodococcus equi infection and found that 74% had extrapulmonary disorders (EPDs), which were associated with a lower survival rate (43%) compared to foals without EPDs (82%). EPDs included abdominal lymphadenitis, intra-abdominal abscesses, pyogranulomatous hepatitis, nephritis, musculoskeletal issues, peritonitis, uveitis, lymphadenopathy, and hematologic disorders. Risk factors for EPDs were referral status, longer duration of clinical signs before admission, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. The study concluded that EPDs are common and significantly affect survival in foals with R. equi infection, emphasizing the need for practitioners to monitor for these disorders to improve treatment outcomes. Limitations of the study included potential misclassification of foals without EPDs due to not all being examined by abdominal ultrasonography or necropsy.
