E-ISSN 2218-6050 | ISSN 2226-4485
 

Case Report


Generalized tympanism in a horse and its possible association with Sarcina-like microorganism: A case report

Laura Gabriela Bass, Paula Peña-Álvarez, Juan Diego Hidalgo-dittel, Fernando Daniel Robles-herrera, Paula María Cappella-flores, Diego Saúl Zúñiga-cortés, Roberto Walter Israel Olivares.


Abstract
Background: Sarcina spp is a Gram-positive, coccoid microorganism which forms tetrads or octets, and is observed with a characteristic "bundle" arrangement. The most recognized species are Sarcina ventriculi and Sarcina maxima. It has been described as part of the normal microbiota in horses and cats, but it has also been linked to abomasal bloat in goats, lambs, and calves, although its causality has not been proven yet.
Case description: This work presents the case of a 3-months-old female horse which died of generalized tympanism. Macroscopic findings showed mild cyanosis and abundant gas in the lumen of the stomach, small and large bowel. Microscopically, high numbers of Gram-positive microorganisms compatible with Sarcina spp. in the gastric lumen and on the surface of the small and large bowel were observed, along with mild inflammation.
Conclusion: The severe tympanism was the only relevant lesion observed and could explain the death of the animal. Although it is not possible to determine a relationship between these lesions and Sarcina spp, it is interesting to highlight that the high amount of these bacteria could be associated with gas production and tympanism. It is important to continue investigating the role of Sarcina spp. in horses, and its possible link with tympanism.

Key words: horses, Sarcina-like, tympanism.


 
ARTICLE TOOLS
Abstract
PDF Fulltext

About Open Veterinary Journal


Open Veterinary Journal provides a fast track coupled with high quality peer review process for original research articles, review articles, short communi ... Read more.



For best results, please use Internet Explorer or Google Chrome.

Contact Information


All correspondence should be addressed to:

Prof. Ibrahim Eldaghayes: Owner, Founder and Editor-in-Chief

Open Veterinary Journal


Faculty of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of Tripoli

P.O. Box 13662, Tripoli, Libya

and


Eldaghayes Publisher

www.eldaghayes.com 

Email: ibrahim.eldaghayes@vetmed.edu.ly