Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1995
- Authors:
- Wallace, S S & Hathcock, T L
- Affiliation:
- Department of Large Animal Surgery · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this case, a young horse (foal) developed a serious blood infection caused by a bacteria called Listeria monocytogenes, which is not often seen in foals. Two weeks before showing signs of being very tired, having a high fever, and low white blood cell counts, the foal had diarrhea. The diagnosis was confirmed when the bacteria was found in a blood test, which is important because the usual cause of such infections in foals is a different bacteria called Escherichia coli. Without the blood test, the veterinarians wouldn't have been able to identify the problem accurately.
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is rarely reported as a cause of septicemia in foals. In this case, the foal had diarrhea 2 weeks prior to the onset of signs of lethargy, high rectal temperature, and leukopenia with a left shift. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated from the blood culture. The most commonly isolated organism causing septicemia in foals is Escherichia coli. Without the blood cultures, a definitive diagnosis would not have been possible.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7591928/