Salmonella Typhimurium - associated meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal

• Main Authors: Jéssica Guerra de Oliveira, Carolina Pantuzza Ramos, Izabela de Assis Rocha, Sóstenes Apolo Correia Marcelino, Felipe Pierezan, Maristela Silveira Palhares, Renata de Pino Albuquerque Maranhão, Rodrigo Otávio Silveira Silva, Raffaella Bertoni Cavalcanti Teixeira
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade Federal de Santa Maria
• Series: Ciência Rural
• Subjects: horse; salmonellosis; omphalophlebitis; meningoencephalitis; diarrhea
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782019000800451&lng=en&tlng=en

ABSTRACT: A 10-day old foal presented with a history of acute recumbency and generalized weakness, that progressed to seizure episodes and death. Post mortem examination revealed necrotizing and purulent omphalophlebitis and fibrinopurulent meningoencephalomyelitis. Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from the central nervous system and determined to be the cause of the meningoencephalomyelitis. Due to the lack of evidence of gastrointestinal disease, the umbilical cord was considered the most likely portal of entry of the bacteria. The isolated S. Typhimurium was resistant to ampicillin and cephalotin, and partially resistant to enrofloxacin. These drugs are commonly used in the treatment of salmonellosis. This is the first report of S. Typhimurium affecting the brain and spinal cord of a foal. Salmonellosis should be considered a differential diagnosis in foals with neurologic signs, even in the absence of enterocolitis.