Streptococcus equi Flashcards
What is the alternate name for Streptococcus equi?
Strangles.
Is Streptococcus equi gram positive or gram negative?
Gram positive.
What age range does streptococcus equi primarily affect?
1-5 years of age.
What is the morbidity of streptococcus equi?
High.
*Likely linked to recovered animals shedding the virus for weeks after they last showed symptoms.
What is the mortality of streptococcus equi?
Low.
What conditions does streptococcus equi require to survive?
Moist conditions.
How is streptococcus equi transmitted?
Ingestion or inhalation of fresh mucoid discharge.
Where is streptococcus equi found in the body?
- Nasal mucosa.
- Buccal mucosa.
- URT LN (Retropharyngeal and submandibular).
What is the guttural pouch?
The diverticulum of the eustachian tube (connects the middle ear and pharynx).
What structures lie in the guttural pouch?
- Cranial nerves.
- Carotid artery.
- Lymph nodes.
What is the clinical presentation of streptococcus equi?
- Initial fever.
- Swollen lymph nodes, initially firm but soften after 7-10 days. May rupture.
- Serous nasal drainage that transitions to mucoid drainage.
- Dysphagia and dyspnea, as a result of severely swollen lymph nodes.
What is the average course length for streptococcus equi?
23 days.
What is the first action performed on a animal that has tested positive for strangles?
ISOLATION. Decreases morbidity.
How is strangles diagnosed?
- Clinical signs.
- Culture and sensitivity of LN drainage.
- Culture and sensitivity of nasal and pharyngeal swab.
- PCR.
How does a treatment for strangles proceed when abscesses are present and the horse is not acting sick?
Penicillin G Procaine (PPG) is administered to SLOW the progression of the disease. Hot pack to encourage abscess maturation, followed by lancing and flushing the mature abscesses.
How does a treatment for strangles proceed when abscesses are present and the horse is anorexic, depressed, dyspneic, or febrile?
PPG is administered to SLOW the progression of the disease. Other antibiotics are also considered in addition to supportive care.
How does a treatment for strangles proceed when no abscesses are present?
PPG is administered to ARREST the progression of the disease.
What supportive care is provided for horses with strangles?
- Tracheostomy, if dyspneic.
- IV fluids, if anorexic or dehydrated.
- NSAIDS for fever and swelling.
What are complications/sequelae that can accompany strangles?
- Endocarditis.
- Laryngeal hemiplegia.
- Septicemia leading to pneumonia/encephalitis/infectious arthritis.
- Internal abscessation.
- Retropharyngeal abscesses.
- Purpura hemorrhagica (immune mediated).
- Guttural pouch empyema.
What type of immunity does the strangles vaccine provide?
Local.
What route is preferred for the strangles vaccine?
Intranasal.
