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[[Image:Pyogranulomatous lungs due to Rhodococcus Equi.jpg|thumb|right|200px|<small><center>Pyogranulomatous lesions due to ''Rhodococcus equi'' (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)</center></small>]]  

[[Image:Pyogranulomatous lungs due to Rhodococcus Equi.jpg|thumb|right|200px|<small><center>Pyogranulomatous lesions due to ''Rhodococcus equi'' (Image sourced from Bristol Biomed Image Archive with permission)</center></small>]]  

''Rhodococcus equi'' is a gram-positive aerobic, intracellular, saprophyte found worldwide in the soil and in the intestinal tract of animals. It replicates at warm temperatures in soils contaminated by faeces of herbivores and is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen of foals under 6 months causing suppurative [[Bronchopneumonia|bronchoneumonia]].  

''Rhodococcus equi'' is a Gram-positive aerobic, intracellular, saprophyte found worldwide in the soil and in the intestinal tract of animals. It replicates at warm temperatures in soils contaminated by faeces of herbivores and is an opportunistic respiratory pathogen of foals under 6 months causing suppurative [[Bronchopneumonia|bronchoneumonia]].  

Pastures can become heavily contaminated leading to outbreaks of the disease. The organism can be present in the faeces of adult horses and also healthy foals, without causing clinical disease. Transmission can be via inhalation of dust contaminated with ''R. equi''.

Pastures can become heavily contaminated leading to outbreaks of the disease. The organism can be present in the faeces of adult horses and also healthy foals, without causing clinical disease. Transmission can be via inhalation of dust contaminated with ''R. equi''.

 

 

== Clinical Signs ==

== Clinical Signs ==