Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Clinical application of a polymerase chain reaction assay in the diagnosis of pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Vivrette, S L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Researchers found that using a special test called a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can help diagnose pneumonia caused by a bacteria called Rhodococcus equi in horses much faster than traditional methods that grow bacteria in a lab. This PCR test can also tell the difference between harmful and harmless types of this bacteria. Additionally, it can help find Rhodococcus equi in manure and soil on breeding farms. Overall, this method improves the speed and accuracy of diagnosing this type of pneumonia in horses.
Abstract
Diagnosis of pneumonia caused by Rhodococcus equi can be made more rapidly by use of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay than by use of conventional bacteriologic culture techniques. Use of a PCR assay aids in the differentiation between virulent and avirulent strains of R equi, and the assay may be used to identify R equi in feces and soil of breeding farms.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11061388/