Hurcombe Samuel D A, Fox James G, Kohn Catherine W
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
J Vet Diagn Invest. 2009 Mar;21(2):266-9. doi: 10.1177/104063870902100218.
A 2-year-old quarterhorse was evaluated for chronic diarrhea and weight loss of 5 weeks duration after numerous diagnostic tests failed to identify an underlying cause. Historically, the horse was housed at pasture where human household waste vehicles were routinely cleaned and the effluent could run onto the field. Physical examination revealed poor body condition and frequent high-volume diarrhea. Diagnostic testing for Salmonella spp., endoparasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Clostridium spp., and diffuse infiltrative bowel disease were negative. Rectal tissue histopathology failed to identify Mycobacterium spp., spirochetal organisms, or submucosal infiltration with cells. Rectal tissue biopsy and a fresh fecal sample identified numerous Campylobacter organisms with microaerobic culture. Molecular testing revealed the species as Campylobacter fetus subsp. fetus as a possible organism associated with large bowel disease in this filly. The organism was sensitive to fluoroquinolone antimicrobials in vitro. The filly responded transiently to therapy, forming discrete fecal balls after 72 hr of treatment. At 5 months follow-up, the horse had gained weight, was alert and responsive, but reverted back to having soft "cow-pie" feces. Reculture of the feces at 9 months failed to identify any Campylobacter organisms. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report to identify C. fetus subsp. fetus from feces and tissue of a horse with the use of molecular methods. This organism could play a role in the etiology of chronic diarrhea in horses.
一匹2岁的夸特马因慢性腹泻和体重减轻5周前来评估，此前多项诊断测试未能找出潜在病因。据了解，这匹马饲养在牧场，那里人类家庭垃圾车会定期清理，废水可能会流到牧场里。体格检查发现其身体状况不佳，且频繁出现大量腹泻。对沙门氏菌属、体内寄生虫、隐孢子虫属、梭菌属以及弥漫性浸润性肠病的诊断检测均为阴性。直肠组织病理检查未发现分枝杆菌属、螺旋体生物或细胞黏膜下浸润。直肠组织活检和一份新鲜粪便样本经微需氧培养发现了大量弯曲杆菌。分子检测显示该菌种为胎儿弯曲杆菌胎儿亚种，可能是这匹小母马大肠疾病的相关病原体。该病原体在体外对氟喹诺酮类抗菌药物敏感。这匹小母马对治疗有短暂反应，治疗72小时后形成了离散的粪球。在5个月的随访中，这匹马体重增加，警觉且反应灵敏，但又恢复到排出软的“牛粪状”粪便。9个月时粪便再次培养未发现任何弯曲杆菌。据作者所知，这是首次使用分子方法从一匹马的粪便和组织中鉴定出胎儿弯曲杆菌胎儿亚种。这种病原体可能在马慢性腹泻的病因中起作用。
