engleski

Clostridial Myositis in Mare Following Equine Influenza and Tetanus Vaccination – A Case Report

Clostridial myositis, also known as malignant oedema, is a severe and potentially fatal disease in horses, causing significant necrotising soft tissue infections. The common types of bacteria found in muscle fibres are Clostridium perfringens, C. septicum, C. novy, and C. chauvoei. Cases of clostridium myositis have been described after intramuscular application of flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone and ivermectin. This report presents a case of a mare with clostridium myositis following influenza and tetanus vaccination. A 7-year-old mare was admitted with a history of six-day apathy, fever (40 °C), ventral oedema and haematuria. The mare was vaccinated with equine influenza and tetanus vaccine one week prior to the admission. One day after vaccination, swelling and heat of the injection site on the neck were noticed. At admission, the mare was apathic, unresponsive and ataxic, febrile (38.8 °C), with a heart rate of 92 and a respiratory rate of 48. Mucous membranes were pale and yellowish with a capillary refill time of 3 seconds. Advanced emphysema involved the neck, thorax and the abdominal and inguinal regions on the right side of the body. An ultrasound examination of the swollen regions revealed hyperechoic shadowing between muscle fibres. Blood analysis showed severe anaemia and leucocytosis. As a result of a serious medical condition and poor prognosis, the owner decided to euthanise the animal. A post-mortem examination revealed gangrenous myositis with necrosis and degeneration of skeletal muscles of the right side of the neck, right front leg and right side of the abdomen. From skeletal muscles Clostridium perfringens was isolated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of clostridial myositis following vaccination by a combined influenza and tetanus vaccine. Although rare, this disease represents a life-threatening condition that should be considered as a possible complication after intramuscular applications.

clostridial myositis, vaccine, intramuscular application, emphysema, Clostridium perfringens

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