Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Weissella confusa septicemia in a foal.
- Journal:
- Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
- Year:
- 2014
- Authors:
- Lawhon, Sara D et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 2-day-old foal was brought to the vet because it was very weak and suspected to have an infection in its blood. Tests showed that the foal had an infection caused by a bacteria called Weissella confusa, which is usually found in the environment and food. The foal initially improved with antibiotics but later developed serious complications in its joints and tendons, leading to its euthanasia. A thorough examination after death showed severe lung issues, inflammation in the joints, and other serious problems in its hind leg. Unfortunately, despite some initial improvement, the treatment did not ultimately save the foal.
Abstract
Weissella confusa is a Gram-positive bacterium that has been identified in environmental and food samples from around the world. Rare cases of bacteremia in immunocompromised people have been reported. A 2-day-old foal was presented for weakness and suspected sepsis. Blood culture yielded pure growth of a Gram-positive coccobacillus, which was identified as W. confusa through sequencing of the 16S ribosomal DNA. Although the foal initially responded to antimicrobial therapy with ceftiofur and metronidazole, it later developed septic complications of the right tarsocrural joint and right digital flexor tendon sheath and was euthanized. Postmortem examination and histology revealed subcutaneous icterus, severe diffuse interstitial pneumonia, septic synovitis, necrotizing vasculitis with marked thrombosis and hemorrhage in the medial digital vessels of the right hind limb, and ischemic necrosis of the right hind hoof laminae. Gram-positive, coccobacilli were observed in the vascular lesion.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24327736/