Successful Management of Multiple Extrapulmonary Complications Associated with Rhodococcus Equi Pneumonia in a Foal
November 2015
in “
Equine Veterinary Education
”
TLDR A sick foal with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia was successfully treated for multiple complications with targeted therapy and careful monitoring.
In 2015, a 3-month-old filly with Rhodococcus equi pneumonia developed severe extrapulmonary complications, including bilateral uveitis, hyphaema, haemolytic anaemia, and polysynovitis, which were likely immune-mediated. The initial treatment with clarithromycin and rifampin was insufficient due to progressive haemolysis, necessitating a blood transfusion and immunosuppressive therapy with dexamethasone. The filly also required intracameral injections to treat hyphaema and faced antimicrobial resistance, underscoring the importance of culture and susceptibility testing. Despite the challenges, including the asynchronous development of sequelae and the lack of specific prognostic information, the persistent and targeted treatment approach led to a successful outcome. This case underlines the importance of comprehensive diagnostic assessment, monitoring during treatment, and the consideration of immunomodulating agents, while also being cautious of their potential immunosuppressive effects on the concurrent infection.
