Placentitis, fetal pneumonia, and abortion due to Rhodococcus equi infection in a Thoroughbred.
Rhodococcus equi is a rare cause of equine abortion. This report describes pyogranulomatous placentitis and fetal pneumonia in a case of abortion from a Thoroughbred mare. Numerous Gram-positive coccobacilli were noted histologically within macrophages in placental and pulmonary lesions. Rhodococcus equi was isolated in pure culture from the placenta, lung, liver, kidney, and stomach content. This is the first description of placentitis due to Rhodococcus equi infection in a horse.
Patterson-Kane
Janet C
JC
Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center, Lexington, KY 40511-1280, USA.
Donahue
J Mike
JM
Harrison
Lenn R
LR
D000034:Abortion, Veterinary / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000193:Actinomycetales Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D010922:Placenta Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016929:Rhodococcus equi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*