Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leptospira abortion in horses.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
- Year:
- 1989
- Authors:
- Hodgin, E C et al.
- Affiliation:
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In Louisiana, a Leptospira infection was found to be responsible for four late-term abortions and one stillbirth in horses, as well as one death shortly after birth. The horses showed signs of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes) and kidney inflammation. The diagnosis was confirmed by looking at tissue samples from the kidneys, liver, and placenta under a special stain that highlights the bacteria. In two of the cases, further confirmation was done using a technique called immunofluorescence. Overall, the findings indicate that Leptospira infection can lead to serious reproductive issues in horses.
Abstract
Leptospira infection was diagnosed as the cause of 4 late-term equine abortions/stillbirths and 1 neonatal death in Louisiana. The most consistent gross and microscopic lesions were icterus and interstitial nephritis, respectively. Diagnoses were based on visualization of compatible spirochetes in Warthin-Starry-stained sections of kidney, liver, and placenta. Confirmation by immunofluorescence was made in 2 cases.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2488711/