Transplacental infection of a foal with Anaplasma phagocytophilum

Dixon, C. E. and Bedenice, D. (2021) Transplacental infection of a foal with Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Equine Veterinary Education, 33(3), e62-e66. (doi: 10.1111/eve.13233)

Abstract

This is the first report to document transplacental transmission of Anaplasma phagocytophillum in the horse. A 4‐year‐old late‐term pregnant mare presented for a recent onset of pyrexia due to equine granulocytic anaplasmosis (EGA). She was hospitalised for treatment with oxytetracycline and monitoring of high‐risk foaling due to significant thrombocytopenia. Parturition occurred overnight, and the foal was PCR positive for A. phagocytophilum at birth. The foal was slow to stand and nurse, with signs of neonatal encephalopathy and anaplasmosis (thrombocytopenia). Therapy with oxytetracycline resulted in complete clinical recovery of the mare and foal within 5 days. Congenital anaplasmosis should be considered in any foal delivered to a mare suffering from EGA during late‐term pregnancy and guide appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Dixon, Dr Claire
• Authors: Dixon, C. E., and Bedenice, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Equine Veterinary Education
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0957-7734
• ISSN (Online): 2042-3292
• Published Online: 09 December 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 EVJ Ltd
• First Published: First published in Equine Veterinary Education 33(3):e62-e66
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher