DefinePK

Abstract

A 9-year-old, male draught horse was brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Sudan University of Science and Technology for treatment of widespread skin lesions. The horse was anemic and in poor bodily condition. Encapsulated abscesses, nodules and ulcerated lesions were seen on different parts of the horse’s body, but were mostly seen on the pectoral region, ventral abdomen, and all four limbs. The horse had sluggish movement and showed swelling and lameness of the right hind limb. The nodules and abscesses discharged viscid purulent exudate. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated in pure culture from aspirates of intact encapsulated abscesses and identified in accordance to its cultural, morphological and biochemical characteristics. Fecal examination was negative for internal parasites and complete blood count showed deviation from normal parameters. Histological examination of skin biopsy specimens revealed severe pathological changes. The horse was euthanized and post-mortem examination revealed no internal lesions other than a small fibrous adhesion between the liver and the diaphragm, and the presence of little pathogen-free yellowish fluid in the abdominal cavity. Based on clinical and laboratory findings two forms of the disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were recognized in this horse: “pigeon’s breast” and ulcerative lymphangitis.