AUTHOR=Ruocco Nicholas A. , Luedke Lauren K. , Fortier Lisa A. , Ducharme Norm G. , Reesink Heidi L. 

TITLE=Rhodococcus equi Joint Sepsis and Osteomyelitis Is Associated With a Grave Prognosis in Foals

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2020

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2019.00503

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2019.00503

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<p>The most common pathologic manifestation of <italic>Rhodococcus equi</italic>, a gram-positive, facultative intracellular bacterium, is pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals and weanlings. Hematogenous spread of bacteria may subsequently occur, resulting in joint sepsis, osteomyelitis, or subcutaneous abscessation. Medical records from horses presenting to the Cornell University Equine Hospital from 1998 to 2018 were reviewed for cases diagnosed with <italic>R. equi</italic> joint and/or bone infection, and information about case progression and outcome were analyzed. We hypothesized that, despite advances in diagnostic imaging, antimicrobials and antimicrobial delivery methods, the prognosis for <italic>R. equi</italic> joint sepsis and osteomyelitis remains grave for athletic activity and poor for survival. The 12 cases that met the review criteria had a mortality rate of 84% (10/12), with one case lost to follow up after discharge and one case discharged with a grave prognosis for athleticism.</p>