Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Immunohistochemical detection of virulence-associated Rhodococcus equi antigens in pulmonary and intestinal lesions in horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of comparative pathology
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Mariotti, F et al.
- Affiliation:
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Two horses were found to have an infection caused by a bacteria called Rhodococcus equi, which can affect their lungs and intestines. After they passed away, tests were done to look for specific markers of this infection, and one horse had the bacteria confirmed through culture. The tests showed a strong presence of the infection markers, while other tests showed only a slight reaction in certain immune cells. This suggests that the specific test used could be helpful for diagnosing Rhodococcus equi infections, even if the bacteria isn't confirmed through culture.
Abstract
Two horses with Rhodococcus equi infection were examined post mortem by an immunohistochemical method (peroxidase-antiperoxidase; PAP) with a monoclonal antibody (Mab 10G5) to the 15-17 kDa antigen of R. equi. One of the horses was also examined bacteriologically, R. equi being isolated in culture. Immunolabelling with this Mab was marked and widespread. On the other hand, the immunohistochemical reactivity of infected macrophages with a polyclonal antibody specific for lysozyme was slight. Thus, Mab 10G5 would appear to be a useful diagnostic reagent in R. equi infection, with or without cultural confirmation.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11032673/