Abstract
Coccidioides immitis is endemic in the southwestern United States, where there is a semi-arid climate with a brief, but intense rainy season, and soil conditions support the growth of the mycelial form of the fungus.’ The primary route of infection of man and animals is by inhalation of aerosolized arthroconidia.‘ Pyogranulomatous pneumonia and hypersensitivity leading to flu-like symptoms are the most common sequelae to infection.( Placental infection leading to abortion is rarely reported. The fungus infects the placenta of women but does not invade the fetus.’ We describe a case of equine abortion with invasion of the placenta and fetus. An 18-year-old Arabian mare from Sonoma, California aborted at about 150 days gestation. Because the mare had a history of persistent mucoid vaginal discharge early in the pregnancy, she was treated with Regu-mate (Hoechst-Roussel, Somerville, NJ) until 110 days gestation. At the time of abortion the mare appeared to be in good health, except for mild weight loss. The fetus and placenta were submitted. The 48-cm crownrump length male fetus was moderately autolyzed. The placenta was edematous and mottled dark red to brown. No other gross abnormalities were detected. Placenta, liver, lung, and stomach contents were collected for virologic, bacteriologic, and mycologic evaluation. Representative sections of placenta, trachea, lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, spleen, lymph nodes, thymus, kidney, adrenal gland, peripheral nerve, brain, skin, skeletal muscle, and heart were placed in 10% neutral buffered formalin. Tissues were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 3 pm, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). Additional sections of placenta, lung, and liver were stained with Gomori’s methenamine silver (GMS) stain and the periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) reaction.
Published Version
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