Treatment of the Rhodococcus infection in foals: a review. [German]Original Title Behandlung der Rhodococcus equi-Pneumonie beim Fohlen - Eine Literaturubersicht.

摘要

Rhodococcus equi (R. equi) is one of the most important causes of pyogranulomatous pneumonia in foals between 1 and 4 month of age. The clinical signs may include fever, cough, tachypnea, nostril flaring and increased abdominal effort. The insidious course of the pulmonary lesions makes early diagnosis in the foals very difficult. The combination of a macrolide and rifampin has become the treatment of choice for R. equi infections in foals and has dramatically reduced foal mortality since its introduction. The first macrolide used was erythromycin, which is not any more drug of choice because of adverse reactions, including diarrhea in foal and mare, hyperthermia and respiratory distress. Azithromycin and clarithromycin are two newer macrolides. They have a greater bioavailibility, and achieve high concentrations in alveolar phagocytic cells and lung tissue. Another macrolide for the treatment of pulmonary abscesses in foals is tulathromycin. It is a semi-synthetic macrolide antibiotic with a large volume of distribution, a long elimination half-life and a high concentration in lung tissue after intramuscular injection in foals. The duration of therapy should be set for at least 4 to 9 weeks. The therapy should not be interrupted before all pulmonary lesions have resolved at sonographical investigation.