Difference between revisions of "Streptococcus equi subsp. equi"

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Causes [[Strangles|Strangles]]
 
Causes [[Strangles|Strangles]]
 
*Epidemiology
 
**[[Respiratory Bacterial Infections - Pathology#Strangles|Strangles]] is a highly infectious disease of horses caused by ''Streptococcus equi'' subsp. ''equi''
 
**[[Respiratory Bacterial Infections - Pathology#In Horses|upper respiratory tract disease of horses]] with fever and abscessation of regional lymph nodes
 
**Causes [[Nasal Cavity Inflammatory - Pathology#Strangles|rhinitis]], [[Nasopharynx Inflammatory - Pathology|pharyngitis]], lymphadenitis and [[Muscles Inflammatory - Pathology#Abscesses|myositis]]
 
**Outbreaks in groups of young horses
 
**Transmitted via purulent exudate discharging from upper respiratory tract or from lymph nodes
 
**Chronic, carrier state can occur with bacteria im the guttural pouch
 
**A mild, atypical form can occur
 
**''S. equi'' shed for 4 weeks beyond clinical resolution
 
 
*Clinical signs
 
**Incubation period 3 to 6 days
 
**Fever, depression, anorexia
 
**Purulent nasal discharge
 
**Swollen, painful regional lymph nodes, especially submandibular
 
**Abscessation and rupture of lymph nodes
 
**Guttural pouch empyema
 
**100% morbidity; 5% mortality
 
**Death can occur from pneumonia, breathing difficulties from swollen lymph nodes or [[Muscles Degenerative - Pathology#Ischaemia|purpura haemorrhagica]](an immune-mediated disease)
 
**Bastard strangle may occasionally occur, with abscessaation in many organs of the body
 
**''S. equi'' may be involved in [[Bacterial skin infections - Pathology#Systemic bacterial infections|cutaneous lesions]]
 
 
*Diagnosis
 
**Clinical signs and history
 
**Mucoid colonies with beta-haemolysis
 
**Sugar fermentation allows differentiation of ''S. equi'' from ''S. zooepidemicus'' and ''S. equisimilis''
 
**PCR to detect asymptomatic carriers
 
 
*Treatment and control
 
**Penicillin administration to in-contact animals
 
**Isolation of affected animals
 
**Quarantne in-coming animals
 
**Avoid overcrowding and mixing different age groups
 
**Disinfection of equipment
 
 
 
*Caused by very pathogenic ''Streptococcus equi subsp. equi''
 
*Caused by very pathogenic ''Streptococcus equi subsp. equi''
 
*Haemolytic streptococci of Lancefield group C are common inhabitants of the equine nasopharynx
 
*Haemolytic streptococci of Lancefield group C are common inhabitants of the equine nasopharynx
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*Attaches to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, then mucosa, lymphatics and lymph nodes
 
*Attaches to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, then mucosa, lymphatics and lymph nodes
 
*Multiplies extra-cellularly
 
*Multiplies extra-cellularly
*Gross pathology
 
**Initial bilateral nasal discharge, serous becoming purulent
 
**Catarrhal conjunctivitis may be present
 
*Less frequently, complications can occur as follows :
 
**Purulent inflammation may extent to [[Guttural Pouches Inflammatory - Pathology|guttural pouches]] or [[Lungs Inflammatory - Pathology#Infectious causes of pneumonia|lungs]], [[Paranasal Sinuses Inflammatory - Pathology#Infectious causes of sinusitis|sinusitis]]
 
**Bacteraemia with metastatic abscesses - most often to the mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes, less frequently, other organs such as [[Liver - Anatomy & Physiology|liver]], kidney and brain can be involved - '''Bastard strangles'''
 
**Retropharyngeal abscesses can rupture onto the skin of neck or into the [[Guttural Pouches Inflammatory - Pathology|guttural pouch]] resulting in '''guttural pouch empyema or chondroid formation''' - carrier state
 
**[[Muscles Degenerative - Pathology#Ischaemia|'''Purpura haemorrhagica''']]: an acute vasculitis causing urticaria and extensive oedema of ventrum, head and distal limbs
 
**[[Larynx Degenerative - Pathology#Laryngeal hemiplegia|Laryngeal hemiplegia]] due to enlarged retropharyngeal lymph nodes
 
**Compression of cranial nerves
 
  
*Interview with Professors Josh Slater and Ken Smith providing an interesting insight into the pathogenesis, prevalence and possible prevention of ''Streptococcus equi'' infections in horses - listen to [http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Review/Podcasts/RVC_Podcast_12.m4a Strangles podcast]
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[[Category:Streptococcus species]][[Category:Horse Bacteria]]
 
[[Category:Streptococcus species]][[Category:Horse Bacteria]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]]
 
[[Category:To_Do_-_Bacteria]]
[[Category:Respiratory_Bacterial_Infections]]
 
[[Category:Respiratory_Disorders_-_Horse]]
 

Revision as of 12:26, 29 July 2010

Causes Strangles

  • Caused by very pathogenic Streptococcus equi subsp. equi
  • Haemolytic streptococci of Lancefield group C are common inhabitants of the equine nasopharynx
  • Streptococcus zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis are usually non-pathogenic
  • Typically suppurative rhinitis, pharyngitis and lymphadenitis of the lymph nodes of the head and neck that drain the upper respiratory tract, these lymph nodes often rupture and discharge pus 2-3 weeks after the onset of infection
  • Infection with Streptococcus equi occurs after contact with contaminated feed, water bowls or an infected carrier horse
  • Organism remains viable in environment for months
  • Possibility of other sources of infection - in pharynx of in-contact dogs?, guttural pouches of persistently infected horses
  • Attaches to nasopharyngeal epithelial cells, then mucosa, lymphatics and lymph nodes
  • Multiplies extra-cellularly