Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Horse aborted after Potomac horse fever infection - what to know
By Coffman, Elizabeth A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2008·University of Tennessee, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Abortion in a horse following Neorickettsia risticii infection.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A pregnant 18-year-old Quarterhorse mare developed a fever, loss of appetite, rapid heart rate, and breathing issues at 68 days into her pregnancy. She was diagnosed with Potomac horse fever, caused by the Neorickettsia risticii bacteria, and responded well to antibiotic treatment. Unfortunately, she aborted her fetus 98 days later. A necropsy showed serious inflammation in the fetus's organs, confirming the presence of the bacteria. While the mare recovered quickly, Potomac horse fever can lead to delayed abortions in horses.
People also search for: Potomac horse fever symptoms · horse abortion causes · Quarterhorse mare fever treatment
Abstract
A pregnant 18-year-old Quarterhorse mare presented with fever, anorexia, tachycardia, tachypnea, and gastrointestinal hypermotility at day 68 of gestation. Potomac horse fever was diagnosed based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of whole blood and a high antibody titer to Neorickettsia risticii. The mare made a rapid clinical recovery following antibiotic therapy, but aborted 98 days later. Necropsy on the aborted fetus revealed lymphohistiocytic colitis, lymphadenitis, myocarditis, and hepatitis. The placenta was grossly and histologically normal. Formalin-fixed lymph node, thymus, liver, and colon taken from the aborted fetus were positive by PCR for N. risticii DNA. Potomac horse fever is a common disease in horses that may result in delayed abortion. The microscopic lesions in the fetus are characteristic, and the diagnosis can be confirmed by PCR on formalin-fixed tissues.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18987240/