[Bilateral pleuritis following esophageal fistula in a horse as a complication of a Gasterophilus infection].

A six-year-old pregnant Haflinger mare of 510 kilograms died from bilateral pleurisy following a hospitalisation period of ten days, during which she was treated with various antibiotics. At necropsy a bilateral fibrinopurulent pleurisy accompanied by an ulceration of the cardia of the stomach measuring once cm2 was found. In the wall of the oesophagus, close to the cardia, there was a fistula harbouring a 3rd stage Gasterophilus larva. The epithelial layer at this site was unimpaired and no gross connection between the fistula and the ulceration of the cardia was observed. The fistula was in communication with both pleural cavities. Microscopic examination showed an inflammatory infiltration as a connection between the fistula in between the oesophageal muscular layers and the bottom of the cardiac ulcer. The Gasterophilus larva as the possible cause of the bilateral pleurisy is discussed.