Isolation of Rhodococcus equi from the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms (family Megascolecidae)

<i>Rhodococcus equi </i>is Gram-positive, soil-dwelling pathogenic bacteria that cause pulmonary and extra pulmonary pyogranulomatous infections in various animal species and humans. This study showed that <i>R. equi</i> could multiply in the gastrointestinal contents of earthworms, suggesting that they act as an amplifier of <i>R. equi</i> in soil environments and as a source, reservoir, or both of the infection.