Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Streptococcal toxic shock in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2000
- Authors:
- Dolente, B A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Medicine · United States
Plain-English summary
A 14-year-old horse was taken to the veterinary hospital because it was very tired and had a fast heartbeat. The initial concerns were related to heart and kidney problems. While being treated, the horse also developed a fever, kidney failure, liver failure, low blood pressure, and irregular heartbeats. Tests showed that the horse had a bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus mitis, which led to a diagnosis of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, a condition that has been seen in humans and dogs but is reported here for the first time in a horse.
Abstract
A 14-year-old horse was admitted to the veterinary hospital for treatment of tachycardia and lethargy. Initial diagnoses were ventricular tachycardia and renal dysfunction. During hospitalization other findings included fever, renal failure, hepatic failure, hypotension, and intermittent ventricular arrhythmias. Bacteriologic culture of 2 blood samples collected during febrile crises 7 days apart yielded Streptococcus mitis. These culture results along with other clinical and physical examination findings fulfill the criteria for a diagnosis of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome, previously described for humans and dogs. To our knowledge this is the first reported instance of this disease in a horse.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10909449/