Pneumonia due to Rhodococcus equi: diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Pneumonie à Rhodococcus equi: éléments de diagnostic, traitement et prévention
Résumé
Rhodococcus equi is one of the most common causes of bronchial-pneumonia in the foal. Although this saprophytic bacterium is found in the environment of all stud-farms and stables, clinical problems in foals can be endemic in some places, while sporadic and even inexistent in others. In the areas where the disease is endemic, the annual costs associated with morbidity and mortality can be very high. Pneumonia caused by R. equi can be diagnosed in the foal by bacterial culture or PCR of tracheal washes. The combined use of rifampicin and macrolides is synergistic and helps to limit bacterial resistance.