Korean Journal of Veterinary Research (대한수의학회지)

The Korean Society of Veterinary Science (대한수의학회)
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Pathologic characteristics for the Rhodococcus equi infection in foals in Jeju

제주지역 망아지에서 Rhodococcus equi 감염증의 병리학적 특징

  • Song, Kyung-Ok (Animal Health Division, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province) ;
  • Yang, Hyoung-Seok (Jeju Special Self-Governing Provincial Veterinary Research Institute) ;
  • Son, Won-Geun (College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University) ;
  • Kim, Jae-Hoon (College of Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Medical Research Institute, Jeju National University)
  • 송경옥 (제주특별자치도 동물방역과) ;
  • 양형석 (제주특별자치도 동물위생시험소) ;
  • 손원근 (제주대학교 수의과대학 및 수의과학연구소) ;
  • 김재훈 (제주대학교 수의과대학 및 수의과학연구소)
  • Received : 2019.04.29
  • Accepted : 2019.06.27
  • Published : 2019.09.30
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Abstract

From 1996 to 2014, 14 foals from nine farms in Jeju were diagnosed with a Rhodococcus equi infection. Clinically, most foals showed characteristic respiratory signs, including hyperthermia and dyspnea. The seasonal occurrence of R. equi infection in foals was higher in summer, such as June (eight foals; 57.1%) and July (four foals; 28.6%), than in the other seasons. The major cases of R. equi infections were observed among two-month-old (eight foals; 57.1%) and three-month-old (three foals; 21.4%) foals. Histopathologically, bronchopneumonia, abscess, and granulomatous pneumonia were the most prevalent lesions in the lungs of foals. Colonic ulcers and submucosal abscesses were found in a foal. Some foals showed granulomatous lymphadenitis and abscesses in the mesenteric and other lymph nodes. According to the polymerase chain reaction using 10 tissue samples of foals and nine R. equi isolates, the vapA gene was detected in 11/11 (100%) foals. Immunohistochemical staining using the anti-VapA monoclonal antibody was applied to detect the R. equi VapA antigen in the organs of foals. R. equi VapA antigens were demonstrated in most lungs and some mesenteric and hilar lymph nodes of 13 foals. Isolated virulent R. equi VapA bacteria showed high sensitivity to gentamicin, quinolones, rifampin, and vancomycin.

Keywords

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