Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Leptospira infection causing late-term abortions in horses
By Hodgin, E C et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·1989·School of Veterinary Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Leptospira abortion in horses.
- 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.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2488711/