Guttural Pouch Research Articles

Localised mitogenic activity in horses following infection with Streptococcus equi

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi) is the causative agent of strangles, a highly contagious upper respiratory disease of equids. Streptococcus equi produces superantigens (sAgs), which are thought to contribute to strangles pathogenicity through non-specific T-cell activation and pro-inflammatory response. Streptococcus equi infection induces abscesses in the lymph nodes of the head and neck. In some individuals, some abscess material remains into the guttural pouch and inspissates over time to form chondroids which can harbour live S. equi. The aim of this study was to determine the sites of sAg production during infection and therefore improve our understanding of their role. Abscess material, chondroids and serum collected from Equidae with signs of strangles were tested in mitogenic assays. Mitogenic sAg activity was only detected in abscess material and chondroids. Our data support the localised in vivo activity of sAg during both acute and carrier phases of S. equi infection.

The Catheter–Embolization procedure for treatment of guttural pouch mycosis in the horse - case series of 7 horses

The Catheter–Embolization procedure for treatment of guttural pouch mycosis in the horse - case series of 7 horses

Managing foals with guttural pouch tympany

Managing foals with guttural pouch tympany

The use of diagnostic tests to help control strangles

Equine HealthVol. 2014, No. 20 VeterinaryThe use of diagnostic tests to help control stranglesAndy E DurhamAndy E DurhamSearch for more papers by this authorAndy E DurhamPublished Online:12 Nov 2014https://doi.org/10.12968/eqhe.2014.1.20.22AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article References Grønbaek LM, Angen O, Vigre H, et al. (2006) Evaluation of a nested PCR test and bacterial culture of swabs from the nasal passages and from abscesses in relation to diagnosis of Streptococcus equi infection (strangles) Equine Vet J 38, 59–63 Crossref, Google ScholarIjaz M, Khan MS, Khan MA, et al. (2010) Prevalence and serum proteinvalues of strangles (Streptococcus equi) affected mules at Remount Depot, Sargodha (Pakistan). Equine Vet Educ 22, 196–8 Crossref, Google ScholarIjaz M, Khan MS, Khan MA, et al. (2012) Comparative study of culture and PCR for detection of carriers of Streptococcus equi in naturally infected mules in Pakistan. J Anim Plant Sci 22, 256–9 Google ScholarLindahl S, Båverud V, Egenvall A, et al. (2013) Comparison of sampling sites and laboratory diagnostic tests for S. equi subsp. equi in horses from confirmed strangles outbreaks. J Vet Intern Med 27, 542–7 Crossref, Google ScholarNewton JR, Verheyen K, Talbot NC, et al. (2000) Control of strangles outbreaks by isolation of guttural pouch carriers identified using PCR and culture of Streptococcus equi. Equine Vet J 32, 515–26 Crossref, Google ScholarNewton JR, Wood JL, Dunn KA, et al. (1997) Naturally occurring persistent and asymptomatic infection of the guttural pouches of horses with Streptococcus equi. Vet Rec 140, 84–90 Crossref, Google ScholarRobinson C, Steward KF, Potts N, et al. (2013) Combining two serological assays optimises sensitivity and specificity for the identification of Streptococcus equi subsp. equi exposure. Vet J 197, 188–91 Crossref, Google ScholarTimoney JF, Artiushin S (1997) Detection of Streptococcus equi in equine nasal swabs and washes by DNA amplification. Vet Rec 141, 446–7 Crossref, Google ScholarWebb K, Barker C, Harrison T, et al., (2013) Detection of Streptococcus equi subspecies equi using a triplex qPCR assay. Vet J 195, 300–304 Crossref, Google ScholarWeese JS, Jarlot C, Morley PS (2009) Survival of Streptococcus equi on surfaces in an outdoor environment. Can Vet J 50, 968–70 Google Scholar FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 2 November 2014Volume 2014Issue 20ISSN (print): 2047-9867ISSN (online): 2052-2967 Metrics History Published online 12 November 2014 Published in print 2 November 2014 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

Treatment of guttural pouch tympany in foals with transnasal Foley catheter placement

SummaryThis case series describes a technique to treat guttural pouch tympany that may be useful to equine practitioners. The objective of this work is to describe the treatment technique, outcome, possible complications and benefits. Data from a retrospective case series obtained by records review and follow‐up with owners and referring veterinarians were used. Foley catheters were placed into the guttural pouch using endoscopic guidance via the nasal passage, the balloon inflated and the catheter sutured to the external nares under tension. Foals were treated successfully with this method and complications were minor. This treatment method is a viable, low‐cost option for guttural pouch tympany in foals.

Guttural pouch empyema secondary to a periocular foreign body

SummaryThis report describes a 3‐year‐old gelding presenting with signs of injury to its left eye following an accident in which the horse crashed into a hedge. The first treatment attempted to treat infections in the eye and respiratory tract due to secretions identified in the trachea. The horse did not improve and further clinical and radiographic evaluations detected a guttural pouch empyema. Surgical drainage was performed and antimicrobial treatment continued. However, the horse presented with severe epistaxis and euthanasia was elected due to suspected arterial rupture. At necropsy, a round and stiff branch plant was found creating a fistula from the left orbit to the left guttural pouch. Another branch was found inside the pouch, confirming the origin of the persistent infection and severity of the tissue lesion.

Genetics of upper and lower airway diseases in the horse.

Genetic predispositions for guttural pouch tympany, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) are well documented. There is also evidence that exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage and infectious diseases of the respiratory tract in horses have a genetic component. The clinical expression of equine respiratory diseases with a genetic basis results from complex interactions between the environment and the genetic make-up of each individual horse. The genetic effects are likely to be due to variations in several genes, i.e. they are polygenic. It is therefore unlikely that single gene tests will be diagnostically useful in these disorders. Genetic profiling panels, combining several genetic factors with an assessment of environmental risk factors, may have greater value, but much work is still needed to uncover diagnostically useful genetic markers or even causative variants for equine respiratory diseases. Nonetheless, chromosomal regions associated with guttural pouch tympany, recurrent laryngeal neuropathy and RAO have been identified. The association of RAO with other hypersensitivities and with resistance to intestinal parasites requires further study. This review aims to provide an overview of the available data and current thoughts on the genetics of equine airway diseases.

Transendoscopic Laser Surgery to Correct Nasopharyngeal Obstruction Caused by Head Flexion in Horses

To determine outcome after transendoscopic laser fenestration of the median septum and removal of the salpingopharyngeal fold of the guttural pouch on nasopharyngeal obstruction caused by poll flexion in Warmblood horses. Clinical study. Horses (n = 9). Nine horses with a history of performance insufficiency and respiratory noise during poll flexion were examined. On endoscopy, an often asymmetric dorsoventral obstruction of the nasopharynx occurred during poll flexion. Left lateral radiographs were taken in neutral, extended, and flexed head positions showed that mean nasopharyngeal diameter during poll flexion was significantly smaller than in healthy horses. Transendoscopic laser fenestration of the median septum between the guttural pouches was fenestrated and on the worst affected side, resection of the salpingopharyngeal fold was performed for correction. Three days after surgery a follow-up examination including an exercise test, endoscopy, and radiology was performed in 7 horses. Mean ± SD nasopharyngeal diameter based on radiographic measurements had increased significantly by 64% from 1.67 ± 0.49 to 2.58 ± 0.61 cm (P = .01) and the respiratory noise was reduced or eliminated in 7 horses. Six months after surgery, a beneficial long-term effect on performance was confirmed by an owner interview in 8 horses. Transendoscopic laser surgery offers a promising low-risk treatment option for horses suffering from nasopharyngeal obstruction caused by poll flexion.

Pulmonary Disease Potentially Associated with Nicoletella semolina in 3 Young Horses

Pulmonary Disease Potentially Associated with <i><scp>N</scp>icoletella semolina</i> in 3 Young Horses

Transarterial Coil Embolization of the internal carotid artery and the maxillar artery in a standing horse for therapy of Guttural Pouch Mycosis

Transarterial Coil Embolization of the internal carotid artery and the maxillar artery in a standing horse for therapy of Guttural Pouch Mycosis

Malignant melanoma in a grey horse: case presentation and review of equine melanoma treatment options

A 15 year-old grey Thoroughbred gelding presented for investigation of chronic weight loss and recent onset of respiratory difficulty. Clinical examination confirmed tachypnoea with increased respiratory effort. Thoracic ultrasound examination detected pleural effusion. The dyspnoea was related to the large volume of pleural effusion and, following post-mortem examination, to the presence of a large mediastinal mass. Multiple pigmented masses, likely melanomas, were detected peri-anally. Thoracic radiography, cytological examination of the pleural fluid and a fine needle aspirate of a thoracic mass led to a presumptive diagnosis of malignant melanoma and this was confirmed at post mortem examination. Further metastatic spread to the central nervous system and right guttural pouch was also identified. In conclusion this case manifests the potential malignant behaviour of equine melanomas, and a review of proposed therapies for melanoma treatment highlights the therapeutic options and current areas of research.

Computed tomography and sectional anatomy of the head cavities in donkey (Equus asinus)

The purpose of this study was to describe the computed tomographic (CT) anatomy of normal donkey head cavities to be used as a basis for interpretation of CT images of donkey. Six adult donkeys' heads of undetermined sex were used in this study. The donkey heads were divided into three regions-nasal, orbital, and cranial-to show the morphology of the following cavities: nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, orbital cavity, oral cavity, pharyngeal cavity, especially the guttural pouch, cranial cavity and temporomandibular joint. The donkey head had six pairs of sinuses: three paranasal (the frontal, maxillary and sphenopalatine sinuses) and three nasal (dorsal, middle and ventral conchal) sinuses. The maxillary sinus was subdivided into rostral and caudal compartments by a thin incomplete bony septum that was identified and labeled according to cheek teeth landmarks. The topographic description and relationship between the nasal, oral, orbital, cranial, temporomandibular joint, pharyngeal cavities and paranasal sinuses were demonstrated. The articular disc, articular surface and joint capsule of the temporomandibular joint were indicated easily in our CT and cross sectional images.

Dysphagia caused by focal guttural pouch mycosis: mononeuropathy of the pharyngeal ramus of the vagal nerve in a 20-year-old pony mare

A 20-year-old pony mare was presented to the equine hospital with a ten-day history of dysphagia, regurgitation and coughing. An obstruction of the oesophagus was excluded via endoscopy, but the proximal oesophagus appeared to be distended and circular contractions were missing. A guttural pouch endoscopy revealed a single, black-mottled plaque on the pharyngeal ramus of the vagus nerve in the left guttural pouch, causing a local swelling of this nerve. The pharyngeal ramus seemed to be atrophic distal to the lesion. A biopsy was taken from the lesion and histopathological findings proved the reasonable suspicion of a guttural pouch mycosis with a high degree of purulent-necrotic inflammation and invasion of fungal hyphae. There were no signs of neoplasia, such as melanoma. Daily guttural pouch irrigations with a clotrimazole emulsion (20 g Canesten® Gyn4 solved in 500 ml water), led to a good recovery of the mucosa above the nerve. Periodic endoscopic examination of the left guttural pouch showed that local thickening and distal atrophy of this pharyngeal ramus did not improve, neither did the clinical symptoms. Due to progressive weight loss, acute respiratory distress and aspiration pneumonia, the 20-year-old pony mare unfortunately had to be euthanized three weeks after discharge. This case report emphasizes the enormous importance of a single nerve for the realization of the swallowing process. The one-sided loss of function of the pharyngeal branch of the vagal nerve cannot be compensated neither by the remaining ipsilateral nerves nor by the contralateral normal functioning glossopharyngeal and vagal nerves and thus inevitably leads to severe dysphagia.

Endoscopic analysis of guttural pouch opening in horses

The mechanism involved in the opening of the equine guttural pouches has not been satisfactorily described. It could be hypothesized that a dysfunction of this opening may explain partially fungal infection of guttural pouches. The aim of this study was to use an Optomed ND wireless on-board endoscopic system to elucidate the circumstances of equine guttural pouch opening and to describe the operational mechanism. Three randomly selected horses from a teaching population of 20 animals were studied between December 2008 and April 2009. Optomed ND was placed so as to give clear visualization of both the pharyngeal orifices of the guttural pouches. Each horse was studied in five different conditions, all at rest (held by an operator; free in a closed box, with food; held in a head-up position; held with the head on the floor with food; held so as to provoke increased ventilation). Every movement of the pharynx and opening of the guttural pouches recorded in the videos were described, classified, counted and recorded for each position and each horse. Three types of opening of the pharyngeal orifices were distinguished: complete opening (the most frequent, always occurred on swallowing and most often when the horses had access to food), partial opening (frequently observed in each condition with only one horse and sometimes occurred on expectoration), and passive opening (more often observed when the horse is maintained with its head at floor level and occurred on mastication and breathing). Opening of guttural pouches in horses seems to be correlated with swallowing, but also with expectoration, mastication and head position. Further investigations are required to elucidate the function of the equine guttural pouches. Resolving these issues may lead to novel therapeutic and prophylactic applications and strategies against guttural pouch diseases.

Strangles: Taking steps towards eradication

Strangles, caused by the host adapted Lancefield group C bacterium Streptococcus equi sub-species equi (S. equi), is one of the oldest recognised infectious diseases of horses and continues to cause significant welfare and economic cost throughout the world. The ability of S. equi to establish sub-clinical persistent infections primarily in the guttural pouches of convalescent horses has been instrumental to its success. However, the implementation of simple control measures that permit the identification and treatment of persistently infected carriers can prevent further outbreaks of disease at a local level.This review summarises some of the molecular mechanisms exploited by S. equi to cause disease. New qPCR and iELISA diagnostic tests replace culture methodologies as the gold standard for the detection of infected animals. A strategy to maximise the effective application of these tests to direct management methods for the eradication of S. equi infection is presented and the role of preventative vaccines is discussed.In contrast to current understanding, emerging data illustrates the dynamism of the global S. equi population and potential consequences for the effectiveness of currently available vaccines. The ability to use modern vaccines alongside conventional biosecurity and screening procedures will be critical to the large-scale prevention and even eradication of strangles, providing an opportunity to finally break the stranglehold that this disease has on the world's equine industry.

Equine respiratory tract — intra-sinus progressive ethmoidal haematoma

Unilateral epistaxis in the horse presents a diagnostic challenge in order to differentiate between facial trauma, progressive ethmoidal haematoma and more serious conditions such as guttural pouch mycosis or sinus neoplasia. Clinical examination, endoscopy per nasum, oral examination, radiography, sinoscopy and in some cases, scintigraphic examination or computed tomography can be required to make a definitive diagnosis. Treatment options for ethmoidal haematoma cases include surgical removal, laser vaporisation and repeated intra-lesional injection with formalin. In this case, surgical removal was performed and the horse recovered well.

Disease Remission in a Horse with EHV‐5‐Associated Lymphoma

Disease Remission in a Horse with <scp>EHV</scp>‐5‐Associated Lymphoma

Guttural pouch mycosis in horses: a retrospective study of 28 cases

The medical records of 28 horses with guttural pouch mycosis were reviewed. The most commonly observed clinical signs were nasal discharge, epistaxis, dysphagia and/or cough. All 28 horses had the...

Bilateral parotid duct transposition for keratoconjunctivitis sicca in a Connemara stallion

A 7-year-old Connemara stallion was presented with a 4 month history of blepharospasm, recurrent corneal ulcerations, mucopurulent ocular discharge, and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) in both eyes unresponsive to medical therapy. Ophthalmic examination revealed lackluster corneas, axial corneal scarring and pigmentation with associated neovascularization, and absolute KCS in both eyes. Computed tomography scan and endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway and guttural pouches revealed no structural abnormalities to indicate neurogenic KCS. The stallion was diagnosed with immune-mediated dacryoadenitis as all other causes of KCS were excluded. Parotid duct transposition (PDT) was performed in the right eye followed by PDT in the left eye 4 weeks later. The right PDT was functional 2 years post-operatively with significant improvement in ocular comfort and reduced corneal fibrosis and neovascularization. The left PDT developed a salivary-cutaneous fistula over the left masseter muscle post-operatively due to avascular necrosis of the distal parotid duct (PD). Surgical reconstruction of the PDT using an expanded-polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) tube graft, an e-PTFE tube graft to autogenous caudal auricular vein graft, and an autogenous saphenous vein graft were all unsuccessful. Tear production in the left eye improved at 1 year post-surgery as a result of long term lacrostimulant therapy, and a permanent PD-cutaneous fistula was performed on the left PD at the level of the ventral mandible. Bilateral PDT in the horse is effective in resolving clinical signs associated with KCS; however, morbidity associated with avascular necrosis of the transposed PD may be significant and can result in surgical failure.

Lateral thoracotomy for management of recurrent or refractory thoracic abscesses associated with equine pleuropneumonia

isolated 3 strains with different colonies sizes on the blood agar plate, UBA8Ch (0.5mm), UBA8Md (2mm) andUBA8Gd (4 mm). Expression of capsule was observed by negative staining with India ink solution and with electron microscopywith fosfotungstic acid.Diskdiffusion testwereusedas recommended by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The antibiotic tested were: erithromycin (ERY), penicillin (PEN), ciprofloxacine (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENR), tetracycline (TET) trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS), cefotaxime (CTX) and florfenicol (FFC). Results were categorized by using the guidelines recommended by the CLSI 2008, 2010 [3]. The capsule was observed in the 3 strains with optical microscope and with electron microscope. The strains expressed different levels of capsule, UBA8Ch: small sized, UBA8Md:medium sized andUBA8Gd: high sized. The UBA8Ch and UBA8Gd strains were susceptible for all the antimicrobials tested. The UBA8Md strain was intermedia susceptibility for ERY, ENR and TMS. The immune status of the host and the guttural pouch environment could influence in the phenotypic characteristics variation of the strains. Itwas isolated three strains froma same sample that expressed different levels of capsule, different colonies sizes on the blood agar plate and antibiotic sensibility. This suggests the presence of different clones of See in carriers.