Toxic shock syndrome in a horse with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia.
A 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was examined because of clinical signs of pneumonia and shock. Mucous membrane petechiation and ventral edema were observed and considered to be a result of vasculitis. Epidermal necrosis developed on the distal portions of the limbs. The horse had a persistent high fever that was unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment, and Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from a nasal swab specimen and 2 transtracheal wash fluid samples. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and supportive treatment resulted in clinical improvement. However, resolution of the pulmonary infection required long-term (42 days) antimicrobial administration. Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from this horse were positive for the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 gene and were shown to produce toxic shock syndrome toxin-1, the causative factor in toxic shock syndrome in humans. The horse's clinical signs were attributed to toxic shock syndrome secondary to pulmonary S. aureus infection.
Holbrook
Todd C
TC
Broad Forks Equine Clinic, 230 Sh Rd, Comer, GA 30629, USA.
Munday
John S
JS
Brown
Cathy A
CA
Glover
Betty
B
Schlievert
Patrick M
PM
Sanchez
Susan
S
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D008297:Male; D011023:Pneumonia, Staphylococcal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D018089:Superantigens; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004768:Enterotoxins; D018089:Superantigens; C030107:enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal