Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis infection following repair of an ulnar fracture and humeroradial joint luxation in a horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2001
- Authors:
- Trostle, S S et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Surgical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 27-month-old Rocky Mountain Horse had surgery to fix a broken bone in its front leg and a dislocated joint. After the operation, the horse developed an infection at the surgery site caused by a type of bacteria that is resistant to some antibiotics. The initial treatment with oxytetracycline didn't help, so the veterinarians switched to vancomycin and rifampin, and they also placed special antibiotic beads at the infection site. Six months later, the horse was walking and trotting normally, and X-rays showed that the bone had healed properly.
Abstract
A 27-month-old Rocky Mountain Horse was examined because of a fracture of the proximal portion of the ulna and luxation of the humeroradial joint (Monteggia fracture). Open reduction was performed, using a mechanical distractor, and the ulnar fracture was stabilized by application of a bone plate and screws. After surgery, the horse developed an infection of the surgical site, and bacterial culture of fluid from the surgical site yielded a pure growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis susceptible to oxytetracycline, erythromycin, rifampin, and vancomycin. Treatment with oxytetracycline did not result in a favorable clinical response. Therefore, the horse was treated systemically with vancomycin and rifampin, and vancomycin-impregnated polymethyl methacrylate beads were implanted at the surgical site. Six months after surgery, the horse was sound at a walk or trot, and bony union was evident on radiographs of the elbow joint.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11229509/