Equi Subsp Research Articles

Streptococcal infections in cats: ABCD guidelines on prevention and management.

Streptococcus canis is most prevalent in cats, but recently S equi subsp zooepidemicus has been recognised as an emerging feline pathogen. S canis is considered part of the commensal mucosal microflora of the oral cavity, upper respiratory tract, genital organs and perianal region in cats. The prevalence of infection is higher in cats housed in groups; and, for example, there may be a high rate of vaginal carriage in young queens in breeding catteries. A wide spectrum of clinical disease is seen, encompassing neonatal septicaemia, upper respiratory tract disease, abscesses, pneumonia, osteomyelitis, polyarthritis, urogenital infections, septicaemia, sinusitis and meningitis. S equi subsp zooepidemicus is found in a wide range of species including cats. It was traditionally assumed that this bacterium played no role in disease of cats, but it is now considered a cause of respiratory disease with bronchopneumonia and pneumonia, as well as meningoencephalitis, often with a fatal course. Close confinement of cats, such as in shelters, appears to be a major risk factor. As horses are common carriers of this bacterium, contact with horses is a potential source of infection. Additionally, the possibility of indirect transmission needs to be considered. Streptococci can be detected by conventional culture techniques from swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or organ samples. Also real-time PCR can be used, and is more sensitive than culture. In suspected cases, treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics should be initiated as soon as possible and, if appropriate, adapted to the results of culture and sensitivity tests.

A randomized controlled field trial of a novel trimethoprim-sulfadiazine oral suspension for treatment of Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus infection of the lower respiratory tract in horses.

To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel trimethoprim-sulfadiazine oral suspension for the treatment of naturally acquired Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus infection in horses. Randomized, controlled field trial. 180 horses with S equi subsp zooepidemicus infection. Horses with lower respiratory tract infections caused by S equi subsp zooepidemicus were treated with a new formulation of combined trimethoprim-sulfadiazine oral suspension at a dosage of 24 mg/kg (10.9 mg/lb) twice daily for 10 days (treatment group) or with an equivalent volume of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (placebo group). Response to treatment, including clinical signs and fecal consistency scores, was assessed twice daily. Any adverse effects were recorded. The primary outcome variable was clinical response; the secondary outcome variable was eradication of S equi subsp zooepidemicus on study day 17 as determined by bacteriologic culture of repeated transtracheal-wash specimens. Of the 119 horses allocated to the treatment group, 69 (58%) had a positive clinical response. A significantly smaller proportion of horses in the placebo group (9/61 [15%]) had a positive clinical response. By day 5, 25 of 61 (41%) placebo horses had been withdrawn from the study because of negative clinical response, compared with only 10 of 119 (8.4%) treated horses. By day 10, 28 of 61 (46%) placebo horses had been withdrawn because of negative clinical response, compared with only 13 of 119 (11%) treated horses. There were few adverse events associated with the trimethoprim-sulfadiazine suspension. There were no significant differences in fecal consistency scores between treatment and placebo groups. The new oral suspension administered at 24 mg/kg twice daily effectively treated the clinical signs of S equi subsp zooepidemicus lower respiratory infection in horses and eliminated the organism from the respiratory tract. Adverse effects were minimal.

Outbreaks of Strangles due to Capnophilic Streptococcus equi subsp equi in South Korea

We reported an outbreak of clinical strangles in thoroughbred horses due to capnophilic Streptococcus equi subsp equi in South Korea. On three different farms, we isolated 17 S equi subsp equi isolates from 29 horses with or without abscesses in their lymph nodes. Of the 17 isolates, two isolates from clinical cases grew well in aerobic conditions, whereas 7/7 isolates from clinical cases and 8/22 isolates from the nasal discharges of horses did not. The latter 15 isolates were capnophilic, oxygen-sensitive, and CO₂-requiring S equi subsp equi, which could not grow in aerobic conditions, but which grew well in a CO₂ incubator with 5% CO₂, in anaerobic conditions using a GasPak, and with reduced oxygen tension in a candle jar. This study is the first report of a strangles outbreak caused by capnophilic S equi subsp equi in South Korea.

Molecular Identification of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi in Horses

The objective of this study to evaluate the existence of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi as probable agents of naturally occurring infection of the equine upper respiratory disease from the Equestrian club in Baghdad city. Nasal swabs and pus samples from 141 horses with upper respiratory tract infections were collected. Results indicated that different microorganisms were isolated and identified S. equi subsp equi (30 isolates), S. equi subsp zooepidemicus (14 isolates), S. equisimilus (9 isolates), Enterococcus. fecalis (17 isolates), Pasteurella spp. (29 isolates), Staphylococcus spp. (25 isolates), Bacillus spp. (24 isolates), Pseudomonas spp.(16 isolates), and E. coli (21 isolates). All 30 isolates of S. equi was characterized by biochemical tests. For molecular identification of the subspecies S. equi one genomic region SeM was amplified.

Uterine bacterial isolates from mares and their resistance to antimicrobials: 8,296 cases (2003–2008)

To describe bacteria isolated from reproductive tracts of mares and to examine the extent and patterns of resistance to antimicrobials commonly used for treatment of endometritis. Retrospective case series. 8,296 uterine swab, lavage, or biopsy samples obtained between January 2003 and December 2008 from 7,665 horses in central Florida. Results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were obtained for uterine swab, lavage, and biopsy samples collected from mares undergoing a routine breeding examination or examined because of a reproductive disorder. Bacterial organisms were identified by means of standard techniques, and proportions of samples resistant to various antimicrobials were determined. At least 95% of samples (n = 1,451) were collected with uterine swabs. Potentially pathogenic organisms were cultured from 2,576 (31%) samples, with Escherichia coli (n = 729 [29%]) and β-hemolytic Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus (733 [28%]) being most common. Resistance to antimicrobials changed over time for E coli, S equi subsp zooepidemicus, and Enterobacteriaceae isolates. Overall, E coli was most resistant to trimethoprim-sulfonamide and ampicillin and least to amikacin and enrofloxacin. For S equi subsp zooepidemicus, resistance was greatest to oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin and least to ceftiofur and ticarcillin with or without clavulanic acid. Inflammatory response was greater for S equi subsp zooepidemicus. E coli and S equi subsp zooepidemicus were the most common pathogens recovered from uterine samples, with S equi subsp zooepidemicus more commonly associated with inflammation. Antimicrobials most commonly used empirically to treat endometritis are appropriate on the basis of these data. However, as antimicrobial resistance changes over time, susceptibility assays should aid antimicrobial selection.

Antiphagocytic Function of an IgG Glycosyl Hydrolase from Streptococcus equi subsp. equi and Its Use as a Vaccine Component

EndoSe from Streptococcus equi subsp. equi is an enzyme hydrolyzing glycosyl groups on IgG, analogous to EndoS from Streptococcus pyogenes. We here show that the activity of EndoSe leads to an antiphagocytic function and may thus be a contributory factor to immune evasion of S. equi. Despite the damaging effect that EndoSe has on IgG, antibodies against EndoSe can neutralize its function. Antibodies against EndoSe restored the opsonic activity of specific opsonizing antibodies. Mice infected with either S. equi subsp. equi or subsp. zooepidemicus or S. pyogenes could be protected by vaccination with EndoSe. It is speculated that EndoSe could be a suitable vaccine candidate against streptococcal infections.

Evaluation of a commercially available modified-live Streptococcus equi subsp equi vaccine in ponies

To evaluate a commercially available modified-live Streptococcus equi subsp equi vaccine for safety and persistence in vaccinated ponies and to detect recombination or reversion events in the vaccine strain. 5 ponies that were 1.5 to 8 years old (group 1) and 4 ponies that were 6 months old (group 2). Ponies were vaccinated, with a subsequent booster vaccination 2 to 3 weeks later, and monitored for 50 days. At booster vaccination, an equal amount of a tetracycline-resistant wild-type strain of S equiwas administered. Recovery of all strains was performed by use of bacteriologic culture and PCR assays. Ponies in group 1 had background antibody titers against S equi antigen before vaccination despite the lack of known exposure to S equi. Ponies in group 2 were immunologically naïve. Increases in anti-S equi antibody titers were detected in both groups. Ponies in group 1 did not have clinical signs of disease caused by S equi. In group 2, all ponies developed abscesses in retropharyngeal lymph nodes; 1 pony developed severe clinical disease and was euthanized. The vaccine strain was recovered from ponies in group 2 for up to 24 days after vaccination. Although the vaccine was successful in inducing IgG antibodies against S equi in all ponies, findings suggested that the vaccine may have caused substantial morbidity and some deaths in the young ponies. In young ponies, the vaccine strain persisted in tissues for weeks; however, no evidence of recombination was detected.

Comparison of endometrial inflammation following intrauterine inoculation with genital strains of Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus or Escherichia coli in the mare

Comparison of endometrial inflammation following intrauterine inoculation with genital strains of Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus or Escherichia coli in the mare

Understanding plasmid effect on hyaluronic acid molecular weight produced by Streptococcus equi subsp . zooepidemicus

Hyaluronic acid is a biopolymer with valuable applications in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus cells transformed with a nisin-inducible, empty plasmid control displayed higher molecular weight. This increase in molecular weight is independent of the nisin promoter or antibiotic resistance. Using 2D DIGE followed by mass spectrometry, we identified up-regulation of the last step in UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine biosynthesis (GlmU) and down-regulation of the first step in peptidoglycan biosynthesis (MurA) as possible mechanism for the plasmid effect. Over-expression of GlmU to further increase activity had no effect on UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine levels or molecular weight, while over-expression of MurA reduced UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine levels and molecular weight. Global transcriptional analysis revealed that differential regulation of GlmU and MurA activity was not reflected in transcription levels. This results, suggest that regulation is at a translational or post-translational level. Differential expression of two clp proteases may explain this effect as well as the small but significant changes in transcription levels of nearly 300 genes.

Acute Fibrinosuppurative Hemorrhagic Pneumonia Caused by S. equi Subsp. Zooepidermidis in the Shelter Dogs in Korea

Acute Fibrinosuppurative Hemorrhagic Pneumonia Caused by S. equi Subsp. Zooepidermidis in the Shelter Dogs in Korea

Could we eradicate strangles in equids?

Views: Commentary 377 S (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) is a globally distributed and highly contagious equine scourge first described by veterinarians of ancient Rome. Outbreaks are associated with loss of condition, disruption of training and riding activities, cost of veterinary care, and lethal sequelae including disseminated (bastard) strangles and purpura hemorrhagica. The overall complication rate can be as high as 20% of affected animals, with a case fatality rate of up to 8%. Control of strangles is based on various approaches, including screening, quarantine, and immunization. Fully effective and safe vaccines providing long duration of immunity are not available, and the task of developing such vaccines, even with complete genome sequence data for S equi and Streptococcus zooepidemicus, is recognized to be considerable. A recent American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement from the United States and United Kingdom on guidelines for treatment, control, and prevention was 12 pages, a length that emphasizes the complexity of control measures. In the United Kingdom, the Codes of Practice Guidelines on Strangles published by the Horserace Betting Levy Board is shorter and, like the consensus statement, focused on dealing with outbreaks. It notes the advisability of informing the relevant breeders’ associations of infection, but acknowledges that there is no legal requirement for this, even for purposes of export. There are no guidelines in Canada agreed to by the horse industry. Strangles has all the hallmarks of an infection that should and could be eradicated (Appendix 1). The causative agent replicates only in equids and survives only briefly in the environment. It causes serious loss through morbidity and death, as well as through cost and implementation of control measures in outbreaks. Because it is not reportable, its presence may fail to be disclosed for economic or other reasons, and therefore, the disease may be introduced unknowingly causing demoralization and conflict. Recent work has shown that the organism is a unique biovar or genovar of an ancestral S zooepidemicus. It appears to be genetically frozen, and unlike most pyogenic streptococcal species, antigenic variation of surface virulence-associated proteins including SeM is slight or absent. In many ways, S equi is an archaeologic relic that could be consigned to history. Could we eradicate strangles in equids?

Standing Surgical Removal of Inspissated Guttural Pouch Exudate (Chondroids) in Ten Horses

To report use of a modified Whitehouse approach in standing horses for management of inspissated guttural pouch empyema. Retrospective study. Adult horses (n=10) with guttural pouch empyema. Inspissated exudate in 1 or both guttural pouches was removed surgically through a modified Whitehouse approach, with the horses standing and sedated. Medical records of affected horses were reviewed to determine history; physical, endoscopic, and radiological examination findings; surgical technique; complications, and outcome. All horses had purulent nasal discharge; 3 horses had dysphagia, 2 had recurrent laryngeal neuropathy on the side affected by guttural pouch empyema, and 1 had persistent soft palate displacement. Inspissated exudate was removed safely without causing apparent discomfort. Eight horses returned to their previous level of athletic activity after surgery; 1 horse dysphagic before surgery, was euthanatized because of persistent dysphagia after surgery, and 1 horse died 1 week after surgery for unknown reasons. Streptococcus equi subsp equi was isolated from the affected guttural pouch of 3 horses. Inspissated exudate can be removed surgically from the guttural pouch in standing horses through a modified Whitehouse approach. To eliminate risks associated with general anesthesia and avoid surgical suite contamination, removal of chondroids can be performed in standing sedated horses through a modified Whitehouse approach.

Streptococcus equi meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal

A 4-month-old American Paint Horse colt was evaluated because of acute onset of ataxia, left-sided head tilt, and fever and a recently noticed heart murmur. Upper respiratory tract infection caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi had been diagnosed at 3 months of age. Hematologic abnormalities included leukocytosis, mature neutrophilia, monocytosis, and mild anemia. Analysis of a CSF sample revealed high total protein concentration and total nucleated cell count; nucleated cells consisted mainly of degenerate neutrophils. Results of a real-time PCR assay were positive for S equi subsp equi, and a diagnosis of S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis was made. Treatment included administration of potassium penicillin and fluids, but the foal developed uroperitoneum and was subsequently euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed meningoencephalomyelitis, and S equi subsp equi was cultured from a brain aspirate. Additional findings included suppurative cystitis with rupture and neutrophilic myocarditis. Findings suggest that S equi subsp equi meningoencephalomyelitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for foals with neurologic signs that have a history of strangles or exposure to affected horses.

Identification of variations in SzP proteins of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus and the relationship between protein variants and clinical signs of infection in horses.

To determine whether previously unidentified variations of the SzP protein of Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus were present in horses with various clinical signs of infection and whether any relationship could be identified between SzP protein variants and naturally occurring clinical conditions. 23 isolates of S equi subsp zooepidemicus were recovered from specimens of horses with various clinical conditions and used as a representative population of isolates for evaluation of different SzP protein variants. Genetic heterogeneity of the isolates was demonstrated by repetitive extragenic palindromic-polymerase chain reaction analysis. The SzP gene was sequenced and the presumed protein sequence determined for each isolate. Characteristics of the SzP proteins were compared among the isolates and in relation to the clinical conditions of horses from which they were recovered. The signal peptide types, number of proline-glutamic acid-proline-lysine repeats, and anchor sequences were consistent with those previously described for the SzP protein. Many of the isolates clustered with 5 previously described types on the basis of the hypervariable region of the SzP protein. One additional variant, which represented 8 of the isolates, was identified. Particular motifs in the hypervariable region accounted for many of the differences among hypervariable types. The SzP protein appears to be limited to a selected number of types. Variations in the SzP protein are frequently determined on the basis of different motifs rather than random amino acid substitutions. There does not appear to be any association of SzP protein variations and clinical manifestations of infection in horses.

Bacterial infection of the lower respiratory tract in 34 horses.

To investigate associations between the bacteriology and aspects of history, clinical presentation, outcome and pathology of lower respiratory tract disease of 34 horses. Detailed aerobic and anaerobic bacteriological investigations were performed on clinical specimens from horses with pneumonia, lung abscessation and necrotic pneumonia with or without pleurisy in an attempt to identify those bacteria that might contribute to the initiation and progression of infection. Bacteria were cultured from 33 of the 34 horses. In ten cases, only aerobic/facultatively anaerobic isolates were cultured while aerobic/facultatively anaerobic bacteria and obligately anaerobic bacteria were isolated in the other 23 cases. Moderate to large numbers of anaerobic bacteria were isolated only when the estimated duration of illness was at least five days. Bacteria were not cultured from 12 of the pleural fluid samples but were always cultured from pulmonary samples (either transtracheal aspirates from live horses or pulmonary lesions at necropsy). Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus was isolated in the three cases where only one bacterial species was cultured. In the other 30 cases, multiple species were isolated. These included most often and in greatest numbers, Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus, Pasteurellaceae, Escherichia coli, anaerobic cocci, Eubacterium fossor, Bacteroides tectum, Prevotella heparinolytica, Fusobacterium spp, and pigmented members of the genera Prevotella and Porphyromonas. Aerobic/facultatively anaerobic organisms were isolated from 97% of horses, while obligately anaerobic organisms were cultured from 68% of horses. There was no association between the isolation of any specific bacterium and the outcome of disease. However, obligately anaerobic bacteria (such as anaerobic cocci, Bacteroides tectum, P heparinolytica and Fusobacterium spp) and the facultatively anaerobic species Escherichia coli, were recovered more commonly from horses that died or were euthanased than from those that survived. There was an association between failure of horses to recover from pleuropneumonia and delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment.

Acute hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia in horses: 21 cases (1967-1993)

Objective— To characterize history, clinical signs, and pathologic findings in horses with histologically confirmed acute hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction and necrotizing pneumonia. Design— Retrospective study. Animals— 21 horses. Results— 19 of the 21 horses were Thoroughbred racehorses in training. Eighteen horses had had strenuous exercise immediately prior to onset of illness. Fifteen horses had a serosanguineous nasal discharge during hospitalization. Seventeen horses had radiographic evidence of pulmonary consolidation and pleural effusion. Nine of 14 horses had ultrasonographic evidence of large pulmonary parenchymal defects consistent with consolidation. Pleurocentesis yielded a suppurative, serosanguineous effusion in the 14 horses in which it was performed. Bacteria were isolated from all transtracheal aspirates (14) and from 6 of 12 pleural fluid samples. Actinobacillus suis-like organisms and Streptococcus equi subsp zooepidemicus were most commonly isolated. Nineteen horses were hospitalized and treated, Mean duration of treatment was 5 days, and most horses were euthanatized because of secondary complications, continued costs of medical treatment, or poor prognosis for future performance. Pathologic lesions included well-demarcated regions of hemorrhagic pulmonary infarction with necrosis and a serosanguineous pleural effusion. Thrombosis of pulmonary vessels was found in 11 horses. Clinical Implications— An acute or peracute onset of severe respiratory distress, with serosanguineous nasal discharge, ultrasonographic and radiographic evidence of severe pulmonary consolidation, and serosanguineous suppurative pleural effusion, is strongly suggestive of pulmonary infarction in horses. Horses with pulmonary infarction responded poorly to conventional treatment for pleuropneumonia and had a poor prognosis for recovery. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 1997;210:1774–1778)

M proteins of Streptococcus equisimilis strains isolated from pharyngitis patients.

S. equi subsp equisimilis (hereafter referred to for convenience as S. equisimilis) and small colony forms of group C streptococci (variously designated as S. anginosus or S. milleri) are the group C streptococci most often isolated from humans. Both may be isolated from the throats of normal individuals and of patients with acute pharyngitis, but the role of these microorganisms in causing acute pharyngitis has remained controversial7. Recent clinical and epidemiologic observations suggest, however, that S. equisimilis may indeed cause acute pharyngitis1, 4, 8, 11, 12.

Retropharyngeal lymph node infection in horses: 46 cases (1977-1992).

A retrospective study of 46 horses with retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) infection presented to the Rural Veterinary Centre between 1977 and 1992 was undertaken. Horses aged less than one year were most commonly represented (46%). Thirty-nine percent of cases had been exposed to horses with confirmed or suspected strangles (Streptococcus equi subsp equi infection) within the previous 8 weeks. Most frequent signs were unilateral or bilateral swelling of the throat region (65%), respiratory stertor/dyspnoea (35%), purulent nasal discharge (20%), inappetence and signs of depression (15%), and dysphagia (9%). All horses had a soft tissue density in the retropharyngeal region on radiographs. Rhinopharyngoscopy, ultrasonography, haematology as well as cytological and microbial analysis of material aspirated from the soft tissue swelling facilitated diagnosis in some horses. Fifteen horses (33%) were treated with procaine penicillin intramuscularly for 4 to 7 days followed by oral trimethoprim-sulphadimidine for 7 to 14 days. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered to 6 horses. Four required tracheostomy for severe respiratory distress. The 15 horses treated medically responded to treatment and were discharged from hospital. Three horses (6%) with mild signs received no treatment and recovered uneventfully. Twenty-eight horses (61%) underwent general anaesthesia and surgical drainage of a RPLN abscess. Nineteen received procaine penicillin G for 4 to 7 days. Four of the nine horses that did not receive antibiotic treatment after surgery required further surgical drainage 10 days to 7 weeks after the initial surgery. Limited follow-up information was available for 37 horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)