Oral Dysphagia Research Articles

Pre-hospitalization dysphagia and feeding tube placement in nursing home residents with advanced dementia.

Despite research demonstrating the risks of using feeding tubes in persons with advanced dementia, they continue to be placed. The natural history of dysphagia among patients with advanced dementia has not been examined. We conducted a secondary analysis of a national cohort of persons with advanced dementia staying at a nursing home stay before hospitalization to examine (1) pre-hospitalization dysphagia prevalence and (2) risk of feeding tube placement during hospitalization based on preexisting dysphagia. A retrospective cohort study consisting of all nursing home (NH) residents (≥66 years) with advanced dementia (Cognitive Function Scale score ≥2), a hospitalization between 2013-2017, and a Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 assessment within 120 days before hospitalization. Pre-hospitalization dysphagia status and surgically placed feeding tube insertion during hospitalization were determined by MDS 3.0 swallowing items and ICD-9 codes, respectively. A multivariate logistic model clustering on hospital was used to examine the association of dysphagia with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding tube placement after adjustment for confounders. Between 2013 and 2017, 889,983 persons with NH stay with advanced dementia (mean age: 84.5, SD: 7.5, and 63.5% female) were hospitalized. Pre-hospitalization dysphagia was documented in 5.4% (n = 47,574) and characterized by oral dysphagia (n = 21,438, 2.4%), pharyngeal dysphagia (n = 24,257, 2.7%), and general swallowing complaints/pain (n = 14,928, 1.7%). Overall, PEG feeding tubes were placed in 3529 patients (11.2%) with pre-hospitalization dysphagia, whereas 27,893 (88.8%) did not have pre-hospitalization dysphagia according to MDS 3.0 items. Feeding tube placement risk increased with the number of dysphagia items noted on the pre-hospitalization MDS (6 vs. 0 dysphagia variables: OR = 5.43, 95% CI: 3.19-9.27). Based on MDS 3.0 assessment, only 11% of PEG feeding tubes were inserted in persons with prior dysphagia. Future research is needed on whether this represents inadequate assessment or the impact of potentially reversible intercurrent illness resulting in feeding tube placement.

Effect of A Clinician-Delivered Chewing Program on Masticatory Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Objectives: Studies documenting the training effect of the Functional Chewing Training (FCT) program using objective methods are limited. The present study attempts to evaluate the effect of FCT on chewing dynamics by comparing the pre-, post-treatment and follow-up scores in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Study design: A time series design was employed to study the treatment effects. Methods: Six children with a confirmed diagnosis of oral dysphagia secondary to CP in the age range of 3 to 8 years formed the participant group. Chewing performance was assessed using Mastication Observation Evaluation (MOE, Remijn et al., 2014) and quantified using surface electromyography (sEMG) for the masseter muscle. Subsequently, 20 sessions of intensive chewing training was carried out. The assessments were repeated after intervention and at 4 weeks post-discharge, during which no intervention or home training was provided. Results: Friedman’s Two-Way Analysis of Variance revealed that there was a significant improvement in jaw, lip, and tongue scores for chewing as well as for the sEMG parameters. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test revealed that there was a significant difference in the pre- versus post-therapy and pre- versus follow-up conditions for all the parameters (p<0.017). Conclusions: The study revealed that FCT leads to improvements in lip seal, jaw stability and tongue lateralization aiding in effective masticatory performance. The continued improvement post-discharge indicates the effect of better management and progression of food textures. The present study is one of the first to elucidate the efficacy of the FCT program by illustrating the changes with respect to instrumental measures.

Speech and swallowing rehabilitation of post-partial mandibulectomy: a case report

<p class="abstract">Squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity require multiple treatment approaches such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical treatment. Glossectomy and mandibulectomy are the most common surgical treatment procedures for oral carcinoma with pre-, and post-surgical chemo-radiotherapy depending on the stage of cancer. The patients with glossectomy and mandibulectomy are at risk of developing a wide range of impairments in speech and swallowing functions due to surgical procedures and post chemo-radiation therapy (trismus and xerostomia). The present case report describes a 52-year-old male who had a history of oral squamous cell carcinoma and underwent wide excision of maxillar and mandibular regions who presented with severe speech and swallowing impairments. On examination of speech and swallowing functions, the patient exhibited oral dysphagia of moderate severity and poor speech intelligibility. The patient had undergone 50 speech and swallow therapy sessions over two months duration and post-therapy evaluation showed improvements in speech and swallowing functions. The patient had exhibited improvements in quality of life on various physical and functional domains post-rehabilitation. However, the improvements were limited due to the presence of trismus and hypernasality due to maxillar resection. This case report describes the importance of speech and swallowing rehabilitation to improve the post-surgical impairments in speech and swallowing functions and also the overall quality of life of patients with oral cancers.</p>

A case of contact stomatitis of the oral floor caused by magnesium oxide in an elderly with paralysis

AbstractBackgroundOn the mucosa, the retention of drugs including magnesium oxide for laxative sometimes causes drug‐induced contact mucositis.Case presentationA 72‐year‐old man presented with discomfort in the oral floor. He suffered from paralysis on the right side of his body. After his meal, it was observed magnesium oxide were retained on the right side of the oral floor. After our instruction of taking drugs with food thickening agents, his mucosa became normal soon.ConclusionWe realized that the supervising of taking medicine in the right way is important for the patients such as oral dysphagia especially with elderly and paralysis.

Bilateral trigeminal neuropathy associated with multicentric lymphoma in two dogs: Clinical presentation, MRI findings and flow cytometry characteristics

AbstractA 6‐year‐old, female, neutered crossbreed and a 6.5‐year‐old, male, neutered Labrador retriever presented with oral dysphagia. Both dogs underwent investigations, including magnetic resonance imaging of the head, cytology and immunophenotyping. A diagnosis of stage Vb multicentric B‐cell lymphoma with plasmacytoid differentiation, likely Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia with bilateral trigeminal neuropathy, Horner's syndrome and paraneoplastic hypercalcaemia was obtained in the first case. In the second case, a diagnosis of stage Vb multicentric high‐grade T‐cell lymphoma with bilateral trigeminal neuropathy and suspected paraneoplastic polycythaemia was obtained. There was no evidence of central nervous system involvement in either case. There are very few previous reports of non‐idiopathic bilateral trigeminal neuropathy secondary to multicentric lymphoma, and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report describing the phenotypic and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics.

Electromyographic measures of asymmetric muscle control of swallowing in Parkinson's disease.

During the early stages, Parkinson's disease (PD) is well recognized as an asymmetric disease with unilateral onset of resting tremor with varying degrees of rigidity, and bradykinesia. However, it remains unknown if other impairments, such as swallowing impairment (i.e., dysphagia), also present asymmetrically. The primary aim of this study was to examine muscle activity associated with swallow on the most affected side (MAS) and least affected side (LAS) in persons with PD. A secondary aim was to explore the relationship between differences in muscle activity associated with swallow and subjective reports of swallowing impairment and disease severity. Function of muscles associated with swallowing was assessed using surface electromyography placed over the right and left submental and laryngeal regions during three swallows for a THIN and THICK condition. The Swallowing Quality of Life (SWAL-QOL) questionnaire and the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) were collected as measures of subjective swallow impairment and disease severity, respectively. Thirty-five participants diagnosed with idiopathic PD and on a stable antiparkinsonian medication regimen completed this study. Results revealed no significant mean difference in muscle activity during swallow between the more and less affected side. For the laryngeal muscle region, a significant difference in coefficient of variation between the MAS and LAS was revealed for peak amplitude for the THIN swallow condition. For the laryngeal muscle region, a significant association was revealed between muscle activity and disease severity but not subjective reports of swallowing impairment. Superficially it appears that swallowing impairment present symmetrical during the early stages of PD, however, our variability data indicates otherwise. These results will be used to inform future studies in specific types of swallowing impairment (i.e., oral dysphagia, pharyngeal dysphagia, and esophageal dysphagia), disease progression, and overall asymmetry.

Vocal Fold Movement and Silent Aspiration After Congenital Heart Surgery.

Infants who undergo congenital heart surgery are at risk of developing vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) and swallowing difficulties. This study aims to describe the dysphagia in this population and explore the associations between surgical complexity and vocal fold mobility with dysphagia and airway protection. Retrospective chart review. This is a retrospective chart review of infants (age <12 months) who underwent congenital heart surgery between 7/2008 and 1/2018 and received a subsequent videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Demographic information, Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category of each surgery, vocal fold mobility status, and VFSS findings were collected and analyzed. Three hundred and seventy-four patients were included in the study. Fifty-four percent of patients were male, 24% were premature, and the average age at the time of VFSS was 59 days. Sixty percent of patients had oral dysphagia and 64% of patients had pharyngeal dysphagia. Fifty-one percent of patients had laryngeal penetration and 45% had tracheal aspiration. Seventy-three percent of these aspirations were silent. There was no association between surgical complexity, as defined by the STAT category, and dysphagia or airway protection findings. Patients with VFMI after surgery were more likely to have silent aspiration (odds ratio=1.94, P < .01), even when adjusting for other risk factors. Infants who undergo congenital heart surgery are at high risk for VFMI and aspiration across all five STAT categories. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of silent aspiration in this population and the need for thorough postoperative swallow evaluation. 4 Laryngoscope, 132:701-705, 2022.

Cancer Awareness and Stigma in Rural Assam India: Baseline Survey of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him (DESH) Program.

India has an estimated incidence of more than one million cancers annually. Breast, oral, and cervical cancers account for over one-third of newly diagnosed cases. With the introduction of pilot cancer screening programs in India, little is known about current sociocultural barriers that may hinder acceptance of screening and treatment. We sought to identify knowledge gaps, misconceptions, and stigmas surrounding cancer diagnosis. A baseline survey was conducted in Assam, India, as part of the Detect Early and Save Her/Him program, a mobile screening program for breast, oral, and cervical cancer. Data were collected on participants' cancer knowledge, and attitudes towards screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Of the 923 residents who participated, a large majority (92.9%; n = 858) were neither aware of cancer screening availability nor had prior screening. Low-medium awareness was demonstrated regarding the carcinogenic effects of betel nuts (n = 433, 47%). Only one-third of participants recognized oral ulcers and dysphagia as cancer symptoms. Approximately 10% of respondents had misconceptions about cancer etiologies, and 42-57% endorsed statements reflecting a negative stigma towards cancer, including its long-term detrimental effects on personal, occupational, and familial life. However, the majority (68-96%) agreed with statements endorsing positive community support and medical care for cancer patients. This study identifies actionable targets for intervention in cancer education and awareness within a large rural Indian population. Education to address preventable causes of cancer and to correct misconceptions and stigma is a critical component in ensuring the successful implementation of cancer screening programs.

Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study Findings and Correlations in Infancy of Children with Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral palsy (CP) in infants can affect global motor function and lead to swallowing difficulties. This study aims to characterize oral and pharyngeal swallowing dynamics in infancy of patients later diagnosed with CP and to determine if swallow study performance in early infancy is associated with later CP severity and characteristics. This is a retrospective chart review of infants who underwent videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) between 6/2008 and 10/2018 at a tertiary children's hospital, and were later diagnosed with CP. Demographic data, CP characteristics and metrics, and VFSS findings were collected and analyzed. There were 66 patients included in this study. The average age at the time of VFSS was 4 months (range: 0.3-12 months), 42% of patients were female, and 50% of patients were born premature. In our sample, 86% of patients presented with oral dysphagia, and 76% with pharyngeal dysphagia. Laryngeal penetration in isolation was seen in 39% of patients, and tracheal aspiration was seen in 38% of patients. Of these tracheal aspiration events, 64% were silent. At the time of VFSS, 58% of patients had a nasogastric tube, 12% had a gastrostomy tube, and 3% had a prior hospitalization for pneumonia. Rates of penetration and aspiration in early infancy did not consistently correlate with prematurity, type of CP (spastic, non-spastic, or mixed), degree of paralysis (quadriplegic, hemiplegic, or diplegic), or severity of Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) score. While there was not a consistent correlation of swallowing dynamics in infancy with later gross motor categorizations of CP, the results of this retrospective review highlight the essential role of early clinical and videofluoroscopic swallowing evaluations to identify oral and pharyngeal swallowing dysfunction in this patient population.

A Literature Review: Evidence Base in Speech-Language Pathology for the Management of Pediatric Oral Phase Dysphagia

Purpose A review was conducted of published literature regarding management of feeding difficulties at the oral phase of feeding in children with autism spectrum disorder and/or developmental disability. The articles selected were open access or free for speech-language pathologist (SLP) members of their professional bodies. The specific research question was: What research and evidence-based practice articles have been published in the SLP literature to assist SLPs in the implementation of evidence-based practice for children with challenges during the oral phase dysphagia? Method Initial inclusion criteria were articles published in English, published in SLP journals, discussed management of behavioral feeding difficulties and oral phase dysphagia, and were published between 2008 and 2018. Exclusion criteria for this review included articles that addressed dysphagia for participants who were medically fragile, used pharmacological intervention, or studies that included adults. A comprehensive search was conducted of ASHAWire, the Speech-Language and Audiology Canada website, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy of the United Kingdom and the website Speech Pathology Australia. Articles were analyzed using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and using a modified feasibility, appropriateness, meaningfulness, effectiveness framework for qualitative case studies. Interrater reliability was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient across four raters. Results All but one of the articles included for this review were qualitative articles containing descriptions of strategies or case studies (e.g., food chaining), were not peer reviewed, but did constitute evidence-based practice as outlined by American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (i.e., were either Level III or Level IV evidence-based strategies or intervention models). Conclusion The review highlighted the need for additional research in SLP designed to answer questions about the management of functional skills in feeding and eating for the population of children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disability, patients who are increasingly on caseloads of SLPs.

Novel Animal Model of Oral Dysphagia Following Hemiglossectomy

Min Ji Kim, M.D., Ho Minh Tri, M.D., Jeong Mi Kim, Ph.D., Mi Eun Choi, M.S., Young-Mo Kim, M.D., Ph.D., Jeong-Seok Choi, M.D., Ph.D., Ji Won Kim, M.D., Ph.D.. J Korean Dysphagia Soc 2021;11:9-14. https://doi.org/10.34160/jkds.2021.11.1.002

Ultrasonographic Measurement of Masseter Muscle Thickness Associates with Oral Phase Dysphagia in Institutionalized Elderly Individuals

Oral phase dysphagia is dependent on ability to chew. As people age, general muscle atrophy contributes to decreased masseter strength. The main objective of this study was to assess the relationship between the thickness of the masseter muscle measured by ultrasonography and the presence of dysphagia in a group of institutionalized elderly people. As a secondary objective, we aimed to establish cutoff points of masseters muscle thickness (MMT) to identify elderly individuals at risk of oral dysphagia. Cross-sectional study of all residents from 3 nursing homes. All individuals underwent ultrasonographic measurements of left and right MMT and were classified according to the presence of dysphagia assessed by both the EAT-10 screening questionnaire and the volume-viscosity swallow test (V-VST). 469 patients (69% women, mean age 84.7yrs) were recruited. Dysphagia was present in 41.6% and 26% of individuals according the EAT-10 and V-VST, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression showed that 1mm increase in MMT reduced the risk of dysphagia by 21% according to the EAT-10 tool and by 30% using the V-VST after adjusting for age, sex, mini-nutritional assessment score, and body mass index. We used receiver operative characteristic (ROC) curves to identify cutoff points of MMT to detect dysphagic individuals according to either EAT-10 or V-VST. The MMT measured by ultrasonography is reduced in elderly individuals with dysphagia. Based on MMT, clinicians may be better informed about the patients'´ ability to masticate solid foods and identify potential nutrient deficiencies in geriatric settings.

Evaluation of tongue strength and symptoms of oral dysphagia in patients accompanying temporomandibular disorder

Evaluation of tongue strength and symptoms of oral dysphagia in patients accompanying temporomandibular disorder

Oral Dysphagia and Its Associations With Nutrition, Physical Functions, and Depression for the Elderly in the Community

Objectives: To explore the occurrence of oral dysphagia problems among elderly in community and to investigate whether the severity of oral dysphagia problems is associated with nutrition, physical functions and mental health. Methods: Trained nurses conducted a rigorous assessment of 679 elderly people living in communities in Zhuzhou. Basic personal information, The Short Form Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNASF), Activities of daily living (ADL), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to assess each elderly. Oral dysphagia was assessed by means of a standardized questionnaire including clinically symptoms of oral dysphagia such as coughing and choking. Results: A total of 654 old people was enrolled in this study, including 250 (38.2%) developing the one or more symptoms of oral dysphagia, the most common symptoms were: drinking water choking (30.7%), followed by saliva (9.6%), dysphagia or pain (6.4%),food loss from the corner of the mouth (2.3%), foreign body sensation of the esophagus (1.8%),food residue (1.2%).The severity of oral dysphagia problems was linearly associated with nutrition, physical function, depression, education level and current care status. The higher the burden of oral symptoms, the lower the self-rated health. Conclusions: The occurrence of oral dysphagia symptom was associated in a stepwise fashion with nutrition, physical function, depression, education level and current care status. In the community, the early recognition, diagnosis and treatment of oral dysphagia is an important link of reducing the mortality and improving the rehabilitation outcome. Additionally, the psychological construction in the elderly should be taken seriously by their families and community workers.

Negative Pressure Therapy Versus Conventional Dressing for Management of Anastomotic Leak After Transhiatal Esophagectomy

Transhiatal esophagectomy (THE) with cervical esophagogastric anastomosis is done for esophageal carcinoma and various benign lesions of the esophagus. Cervical anastomotic (CA) leak following THE is a serious complication that adds significantly to morbidity. As these leaks usually manifest in neck, local wound care is one of the essential components to manage such leaks. This study aims to evaluate the effect of negative pressure therapy (NPT) on healing of cervical wound following CA leaks. The record of all patients, who underwent THE for benign or malignant lesion of the esophagus from 2012 to 2019, was retrospectively analyzed. Of all the patients who had CA leak, patients with type II CA leak were only included for further analysis. The outcome of the patients who received NPT for wound care was compared with those who received simple wound dressings in terms of time to oral feed, hospital stay, mortality, and dysphagia at 6 months. Seventy-two patients were thus identified and 18 (25%) had an anastomotic leak. Patients with type II leaks (n = 16) were successfully managed by conservative approach. NPT for wound care in these patients was associated with significant reduction in hospital stay and early resumption of oral intake (p < 0.05) as compared with simple wound dressings. Conservative approach is effective for management of CA leaks. NPT for wound care significantly reduces associated morbidity.

IMPACT OF AGE ON ORAL TOXICITIES INDUCED BY RADIOTHERAPY IN YOUNG PATIENTS WITH HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Objective: To evaluate treatment-related toxicities in young head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Study Design: This was a retrospective observational study designed to access oral toxicities of cancer treatment in young ( 58 years of age, group II) HNC patients with similar tumor stage and treatment protocols. Oral mucositis (OM), xerostomia, dysphagia, dysgeusia, trismus, and radiodermatitis were assessed during days 7, 21, and 35 of head and neck radiotherapy (RT). Results: Patients from both groups showed high incidence and severity of oral toxicities by the end of the RT with OM (81.9% and 63.6%, respectively) and xerostomia (72.6% and 77.2%, respectively) as the most prevalent toxicities for this period of assessment. No differences regarding xerostomia, dysphagia, dysgeusia, and radiodermatitis incidence or severity could be observed between groups. However, higher incidences and severity of OM and trismus were observed throughout the treatment in young patients compared with older patients (P

Effectiveness of Kinesiotaping and Manipulation Therapies in Drooling Management Among Children With Oral Dysphagia

Effectiveness of Kinesiotaping and Manipulation Therapies in Drooling Management Among Children With Oral Dysphagia

Airway protection & patterns of dysphagia in infants with down syndrome: Videofluoroscopic swallow study findings & correlations

IntroductionDown syndrome is a genetic condition that affects 1:737 births. Along with cardiac, otolaryngologic, and developmental anomalies, infants with Down syndrome can have swallowing difficulties resulting in respiratory infections. This study aims to characterize the airway protection and dysphagia seen in infants with Down syndrome. MethodsThis is a retrospective chart review of infants with Down syndrome who underwent videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) from 2008 to 2018 at a tertiary children's hospital. Demographic data and VFSS findings were collected. Results89.8% (114/127) of infants presented with at least one element of oral dysphagia, while 72.4% (92/127) had at least one element of pharyngeal dysphagia. Sucking skills were classified as abnormal in 63.7% of the patients and bolus formation-control was determined to be deficient (abnormal) in 62.2% of the patients. Oral residuals were present in 37.8% of the patients. With regard to pharyngeal phase, the swallow initiation was considered abnormal in 53.5% of the patients. Pharyngeal residue was present in 17.3% and pharyngo-nasal reflux was present in 27.5% of the patients. ConclusionsSwallowing assessments in infants with Down syndrome suspected of dysphagia should be considered, especially in those with any alterations in pulmonary health.

Recovery of Foix-Chavany-Marie Syndrome with Multi-Modal RehabilitationTherapy: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome (FCMS) is a rare type of pseudobulbar palsy characterized by loss of voluntary control of the facial, glossal, pharyngeal, laryngeal, and masticatory muscles with preserved automatic, involuntary movements, also called “automatic-voluntary dissociation”. These dysfunctions are usually difficult to recover. We would like to report a 50-year-old female presented as FCMS with prominent oral dysphagia and dysarthria. Therapies included speech therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation and acupuncture. After 3 weeks’ treatment, the patient had improvements in oral facial muscle control and chewing. However, the dysarthria remained prominent. Multi-modal rehabilitation therapy may be helpful in the recovery of FCMS.

Glossitis by Actinobacillus equuli subsp. equuli in an Equine

Background:Actinobacillosis in adult horses is rare, and is often associated with infection due to Actinobacillus equuli subsp. equuli, which is a commensal organism inhabiting the oral cavity of healthy animals. It is an opportunistic pathogen, and the infection usually occurs secondary to another primary disease or due to predisposing factors such as pre-existing lesions, mainly in the oral cavity. Infection may be associated with peritonitis, bacterial endocarditis, pneumonia, enteritis, infectious periorchitis, abortion, and septicemia. This paper aims to describe the clinical, microbiological, and pathological aspects of actinobacillosis in the oral cavity of a horse.Case:A case of actinobacillosis has been reported in a 22-year-old gelding Quarter Horse. According to the owner, the animal presented with progressive weight loss during the previous three months, and leakage of food from the oral cavity. Examination of the oral cavity revealed sharp enamel overgrowths, which had been corrected during a previous dental procedure. However, five days after the procedure, the animal developed halitosis. Ceftiofur sodium (4.4 mg/kg intramuscularly, every 24 h) was prescribed; two days after the commencement of antimicrobial therapy, the animal presented with sialorrhea, bilateral submandibular lymphadenomegaly, protrusion of the tongue, edema of the base of the tongue, cheeks, and gums, in addition to black-colored sores and scales in the oral mucosa, particularly affecting the base of the tongue and gums. Samples from ulcerative lesions found at the base of the tongue and gums were collected using sterile swabs, and culture and antibiogram were requested. Microbiological culture led to the growth of small colonies measuring less than 5 mm in diameter, that were non-hemolytic, slightly whitish in color but non-opaque, smooth and bright in appearance. These were identified as gram-negative rods on microscopy, and further characterized as Actinobacillus equuli subsp. equuli based on the phenotypic and biochemical findings. The antibiogram revealed sensitivity of the organisms to cephalothin and doxycycline, intermediate sensitivity to amoxicillin, and resistance to florfenicol, metronidazole, clindamycin, and sulfazotrim. The complete blood count revealed anemia with a reduction in hemoglobin (10.1 g/dL) and hematocrit (27.9%), neutrophilia (10.670 x 10³ /mm³), and lymphopenia (330 x 10³ /mm³). Decrease in serum albumin (2.0 g/dL) and alkaline phosphatase (91 IU/L), and increase in globulin (4.9 g/dL), aspartate aminotransferase (361 4 IU/L), and urea (123.8 mg/dL) were noted on biochemical analyses. Two days after the onset of acute clinical signs, the animal died; necropsy revealed severe, subacute, fibronecrotic glossitis associated with myriads of basophilic bacteria.Discussion:This report describes an infection of the oral cavity by Actinobacillus equuli subsp. equuli following a dental procedure, a finding compatible with the opportunistic nature of these bacteria. The presence of enamel overgrowths resulted in the formation of traumatic lesions on the oral mucosa and tongue that favored colonization of the bacteria. The case of equine glossitis reported in this study had a similar clinical presentation to the classic actinobacillosis in cattle, also known as “wooden tongue”, an infection caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii; common symptoms in cattle include oral edema, sialorrhea, and dysphagia.