Salmonella Typhimurium - associated meningoencephalomyelitis in a foal

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.摘要：一只出生10日龄的马驹出现急性卧地不起与全身性虚弱症状，病情逐步进展为癫痫发作，最终死亡。尸检结果显示，该马驹罹患坏死性化脓性脐静脉炎（necrotizing and purulent omphalophlebitis）及纤维蛋白化脓性脑脊髓膜炎（fibrinopurulent meningoencephalomyelitis）。研究人员从该马驹的中枢神经系统（central nervous system）中分离出鼠伤寒沙门氏菌（Salmonella Typhimurium），并确定该菌为引发脑脊髓膜炎的致病菌。由于未发现胃肠道疾病相关证据，脐带被认为是该细菌最可能的入侵门户。分离得到的鼠伤寒沙门氏菌对氨苄西林（ampicillin）与头孢噻吩（cephalotin）具有耐药性，对恩诺沙星（enrofloxacin）呈部分耐药性，而上述药物均为沙门氏菌病（salmonellosis）的常用治疗药物。本研究为首例鼠伤寒沙门氏菌感染马驹脑与脊髓的病例报道。对于出现神经症状的马驹，即便无小肠结肠炎（enterocolitis）症状，也应将沙门氏菌病纳入鉴别诊断（differential diagnosis）。