Meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal due to Salmonella agona infection

Authors: Harrison LR, Patterson-Kane JC, Bain FT, Donahue JM
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 49, Issue 4, pp 159-161, Aug 2001
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Horse, Livestock
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Alimentary system/gastroenterology, Nervous system/neurology, Inflammation, Disease/defect, Notifiable organisms/exotic disease, Infectious disease, Sepsis/infection, Zoonosis, Public health
Article class: Clinical Communication

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Abstract: CASE HISTORY: A neonatal Thoroughbred foal was presented with rib fractures and left forelimb lameness secondary to dystocia.
CLINICAL FINDINGS: The foal developed a head tilt, seizures and watery diarrhoea during hospitalisation and died at 7 days of age. Histological examination of the brain and spinal cord revealed a suppurative meningoencephalomyelitis with vasculitis, and numerous intralesional, gram-negative bacilli. Similar microscopic lesions were noted in the lungs, renal medullary interstitium, and umbilicus. Bacilli in the brain, spinal cord and umbilicus were identified immunohistochemically as Salmonella group B. Salmonella agona was isolated in pure culture from the brain, lung, liver, kidney, and intestine.
CONCLUSION: This is the first report of meningoencephalomyelitis and septicaemia due to Salmonella infection in an equine neonate.
KEY WORDS: Horse diseases, meningoencephalitis, Salmonella infections, septicaemia.

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