A Specific Arthritis With Peeicarditis Affecting Horses in Tasmania

Microbiologic and Pathologic Findings in an Epidemic of Equine Pericarditis

“…Authors of previous studies have suggested that bacteria have an important but secondary role in the pathogenesis of pericarditis, with bacterial infection being secondary to virus infection or immunosuppression (or both). 25,32 A similar function is attributed to the bacteria isolated in these cases. It is unlikely that primary infections with commensal bacteria could have resulted in the abrupt onset and disappearance and broad geographic distribution of pericarditis cases.…”

“…1,2,[4][5][6][7]11,13,14,16,20,21,25,27,30,32 In those reports, diagnoses were based on the isolation of bacteria from pericardial fluid 1,6,11,21 ; cytologic evaluation of pericardial fluid and detection of acute inflammation with degenerate neutrophils or the presence of gram-positive or gram-negative bacteria, or both 1,21,32 ; and clinical findings suggestive of sepsis. 21,25 The contribution of bacteria to the pathogenesis of pericarditis in many of these cases however was difficult to assess and perhaps understated. This was because affected horses received antibiotics before collection of samples for bacterial culture or historical information regarding antibiotic therapy was either unknown or not indicated.…”

“…1,2,[4][5][6][7]11,20,21,30,32 Viral pericarditis has not been documented in the horse but is presumed to occur on the basis of rising antibody titers in some affected individuals, historical information suggesting previous viral respiratory tract infection, and inability to isolate bacteria from pericardial fluid samples. 10,25 The cause in the majority of cases is undetermined. 11,13,14,23,32 Between May 7, 2001, and September 14, 2001, 22 horses with terminal pericarditis and serum, a combination of pericardial, pleural, or tracheal wash fluids from 12 horses with sonographic evidence of pericarditis were submitted to the Livestock Disease Diagnostic Center at the University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, for diagnostic testing.…”

Idiopathic effusive pericarditis with tamponade in the horse

“…Primary pericardial disease is considered rare in horses. Pericarditis and pericardial effusion have been reported secondary to penetrating wounds, extension of infection from contiguous structures (pleura, lung), following septicaemia or neoplasia (mesothelioma) (Rainey 1944;Ryan and Rainey 1945 ;Bradfield 1970;Carnine, Schneider, Cook and Leipold 1977;Wagneretal1977;Dilletal1982;Wagner 1983;Reefetal 1984;Bertone and Dill 1985;Foss 1985). Most of the cases reported t o date, and all of the horses reported here, had pericardial effusion from an idiopathic aseptic pericarditis.…”

“…In most species, including the horse, it has been difficult to find an aetiology. (Stevens, Gross and Fincher 1938;Rainey 1944;Ryan and Rainey 1945; Wagner et al1977; Dill et a/ 1982;Reef et al1984;Foss 1985). In humans the most common type of pericardial effusion is inflammatory but aseptic, and has been termed idiopathic (fibrinous) pericarditis (Lorell and Braunweld 1984).…”