engleski

STENOTROPHOMONAS MALTOPHILIA INFECTION IN A HORSE

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a Gram-negative, non-fermenting bacterium formerly known as Pseudomonas maltophilia and Xanthomonas maltophilia. It is being reported more often as a human nosocomial pathogen, especially among immuno-compromised patients. There is limited information relating S. maltophilia to infections in animals. A very few authors have described it as a lower airway disease in horses. S. maltophilia is occasionally considered a contaminant or possibly a commensal, however, in clinical material it is generally accepted that this bacterium can behave as a true pathogen. A 9 year old horse was admitted for depression and inappetence, fever and cough in duration of more than 50 days. The horse was previously treated with various antibiotics, corticosteroids and vitamin supplementations without improvement. On the admission day the horse was clinically examined, including an endoscopic examination with bronchoalveolar lavage and tracheal wash, thoracic radiographs and ultrasound examination and blood hematology and biochemistry profile. S. maltophilia was isolated from the mucopurulent exudate in the trachea. The horse was treated with antibiotics respecting sensitivity results and additionally bronchodilators and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, showing rapid disease relief. Although veterinarians are commonly confronted with equine lower airway diseases, the treatment mainly consists of broad-spectrum antibiotics, following no specific diagnostic procedures. It is important to emphasize that the antibiotics most commonly used for treating equine respiratory infections are not active against this organism. Involvement of S. maltophilia should be suspected in equine patients with a history of persisting respiratory signs and those present on endoscopy with abundant tracheal mucous.

Horse; Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

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