[Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE), a review].
Equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) has been observed in the U.S.A., Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and possibly in Great Britain. The causative agent is rickettsia Ehrlichia equi, identified for the first time in 1969. The clinical features of the disease are anorexia, fever, depression, (limb) oedema, icterus, ataxia, petechiae and orchitis. Hematologic changes are leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and cytoplasmic inclusion bodies in the neutrophils and eosinophils. Vasculitis may be observed at autopsy. Following a positive hematological diagnosis (Giemsa stained blood smear) of EGE, treatment with oxytetracycline can be initiated.
Vakgroep Inwendige Zieketen en Voeding der Grote Huisdieren, Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Utrecht.
J H
JH
van der Kolk
M W
MW
van der Wijden
F
F
Jongejan
D000818:Animals; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000473:pathology; D006402:Hematologic Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D002479:Inclusion Bodies; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use
D010118:Oxytetracycline