Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in a thoroughbred foal.
- Journal:
- The Journal of veterinary medical science
- Year:
- 1994
- Authors:
- Tanaka, S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Comparative Pathology · Japan
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 46-day-old male thoroughbred foal developed Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, which is a type of lung infection. This foal had diarrhea and low levels of certain antibodies after birth because he couldn't get enough colostrum, the first milk rich in nutrients and antibodies, since his mother died shortly after giving birth. Tests showed the presence of the pneumonia-causing organisms, but there were no signs of tissue damage that would suggest a weakened immune system. The lack of colostrum from his mother likely made him more vulnerable to this infection. The outcome of the treatment is not mentioned in the abstract.
Abstract
Typical Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia was found in a male thoroughbred foal (46 days old) suffering from diarrhea and hypogammaglobulinemia after birth. The characteristics of the organisms were demonstrated by Grocott methenamine silver staining, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The present focal had no histological lesions suggesting immunodeficiency. However, he could not get adequate colostrum from his dam, because she died of hemorrhagic shock due to immuno-mediated thrombocytopenia at delivery. This condition was considered to have predisposed the foal to the pneumonia.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8204738/