Just coming back from Perak Turf Club, learning about racing horses. Dr Alistair Murdoch, the senior vet in this club went on explaining things about horses. (He's very charming and professional and I like him hehe) What really get my attention is the common diseases that affecting the horse; Melioidosis and Strangles
************************************************
Melioidosis is a bacterial disease that affects humans and many species of animals. While some infections are subclinical, others result in localized acute or chronic disease, or fatal septicemia. Because it can affect almost any organ, melioidosis can mimic many other diseases.
Etilogy
Melioidosis results from infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a Gram negative bacillus in the family Burkholderiaceae. This organism was formerly known as Pseudomonas pseudomallei. It is closely related to Burkholderia mallei, the agent of glanders, as well as to B. thailandensis and B. oklahomensis. It may affect variety of domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, dog, horse, swine and cats.
B.pseudomallei on the McConkey Agar
Transmission
Animal transmission
- Ingestion
- Inhalation
- Wounds and abrasion
- Nasal secretion of infected animals
- Milk, feces, urine of infected animals
- Transplacental
- Nosocomial (infection results from of treatment in hospital)
- Mosquitoes and rat fleas
Zoonotic transmission to human
- Contamination of skin lesions by exposure to infected animals, tissues including meat, or milk.
- Skin wound
- Sexual transmission
Clinical signs
- Respiratory diseases
- Septicemia
- Localized acute or chronic suppurative infection
- GI symptoms
- Osteomyelitis (inflammation of bone)
- Mastitis
- Orchitis
Diagnosis
- Isolation of the bacteria from milk and feces
- Biochemistry
- Latex agglutination
- ELISA
- PCR-restriction fragment length of polymorphism
- Immunoflorescent
Treatment and prevention
B. pseudomallei is susceptible to some antibiotics however, this organism is intrinsically resistant to many drugs. Melioidosis is usually acquired from the environment, particularly after contact with soil or water. To minimize contact with dirt, animals can be raised on wooden slats, concrete or paved floors. Providing safe drinking water is important in endemic areas. B. pseudomallei is particularly common in muddy water, and it is less likely to be found in fresh or clear water. Although small numbers of bacteria may survive treatment, chlorination of the water supply decreases the risk of infection. Carnivores and omnivores should not be allowed to eat contaminated carcasses.
Source: Melioidosis; center for food security and public health
0 comments:
Post a Comment