title: Clinical and clinicopathological factors associated with survival in 44 horses with equine neorickettsiosis (Potomac horse Fever).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The epidemiology of equine neorickettsiosis (EN) has been extensively studied but limited clinical and clinicopathological data are available concerning naturally infected horses.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Factors predictive of survival will be identified in horses diagnosed with EN.
  
  
  METHODS
  Convenience sample of 44 horses with EN admitted to 2 referral institutions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was performed. A diagnosis of EN was based on the presence of positive blood or fecal PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common clinical signs included diarrhea (66%), fever (50%), anorexia (45%), depression (39%), colic (39%), and lameness (18%). The median duration of hospitalization was 6 days and 73% of horses survived to discharge. Laminitis was present in 36% of horses, 88% of which were affected in all 4 feet. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations, as well as RBC count, blood hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, band neutrophils, serum AST activity, serum CK activity, and anion gap, were significantly (P < .05) higher in nonsurvivors. Serum chloride and sodium, concentrations as well as duration of hospitalization were significantly lower in nonsurvivors. The results of forward stepwise logistic regression indicated that blood hemoglobin concentration on admission and antimicrobial treatment with oxytetracycline were independent factors associated with survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Severity of colitis as reflected by electrolyte loss, hemoconcentration, and prerenal azotemia were predictors of survival in horses diagnosed with EN. Treatment with oxytetracycline was associated with increased survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
authors.forename: F R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Bertin
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reising
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Slovis
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Constable
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Taylor
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D002712:Chlorides / Q000097:blood; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004536:Ehrlichia / Q000276:immunology*; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006736:Horses; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012282:Rickettsia Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D006454:Hemoglobins; D012964:Sodium; D003404:Creatinine; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D003402:Creatine Kinase
keywords: Colitis; Ehrlichiosis; Equine; Oxytetracycline