Strangles and its complications in a one year old Quarter Horse

Abstract

Streptococcus equi subspecies equi infection of horses, commonly known as "strangles", is a highly prevalent bacterial disease that continues to plague the equine population. Although relatively fragile outside of the host, the organism is highly contagious and can be transmitted easily between animals by inhalation or ingestion of aerosolized bacteria. The bacterium, a gram positive, highly encapsulated member of the Lancefield Group C streptococci, primarily causes upper respiratory tract and associated lymph node disease solely in equines, but the organism has the ability to cause pathologic sequelae in other regions of the animal's body. Furthermore, the clinical signs of strangles can greatly increase the risk of infection and colonization by opportunistic pathogens. This report discusses a case of Streptococcus equi infection in a 16 month old Quarter Horse that featured numerous systemic sequelae and coinfection by multiple infectious agents.