Difference between revisions of "Streptococcus equi subsp. equi"
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**Avoid overcrowding and mixing different age groups | **Avoid overcrowding and mixing different age groups | ||
**Disinfection of equipment | **Disinfection of equipment | ||
+ | |||
+ | *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 [[Nasal Cavity Inflammatory - Pathology#Infectious causes of rhinitis|suppurative rhinitis]], [[Nasopharynx Inflammatory - Pathology#Infectious causes of pharyngitis|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 [[Hindgut Fermenters - Horse - Anatomy & Physiology|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 | ||
+ | *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] | ||
[[Category:Streptococcus species]][[Category:Horse]] | [[Category:Streptococcus species]][[Category:Horse]] |
Revision as of 10:42, 17 May 2010
Causes Strangles
- Epidemiology
- Strangles is a highly infectious disease of horses caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. equi
- upper respiratory tract disease of horses with fever and abscessation of regional lymph nodes
- Causes rhinitis, pharyngitis, lymphadenitis and 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 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 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
- 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
- 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 or lungs, sinusitis
- Bacteraemia with metastatic abscesses - most often to the mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes, less frequently, other organs such as liver, kidney and brain can be involved - Bastard strangles
- Retropharyngeal abscesses can rupture onto the skin of neck or into the guttural pouch resulting in guttural pouch empyema or chondroid formation - carrier state
- Purpura haemorrhagica: an acute vasculitis causing urticaria and extensive oedema of ventrum, head and distal limbs
- 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 Strangles podcast