Septic (teno)synovitis

Septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in the horse can have life-threatening consequences. The purpose of this cross-sectional retrospective study was to describe ultrasound characteristics of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis in a group of horses. Diagnosis of septic arthritis/tenosynovitis was based on historical and clinical findings as well as the results of the synovial fluid analysis and/or positive synovial culture.

Authors: P. I. Milner, D. A. Bardell, L. Warner, M. J. Packer, J. M. Senior, E. R. Singer and D. C. Archer
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Reasons for performing study To determine risk factors involved in survival to hospital discharge of cases of synovial sepsis. Objectives Investigate pre-, intra- and post operative factors involved in short-term survival of horses undergoing endoscopic treatment for synovial sepsis. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Clinical data were obtained for horses (>6 months old) undergoing endoscopic surgery as part of management for synovial sepsis over a 7-year period in a single hospital population. Descriptive data were generated for pre-, intra- and post operative variables.

Authors: S. J. Rutherford, A. N. Rycroft, A. L. Ridler
Journal: Veterinary Record

In order to investigate sheep sources of Streptococcus dysgalactiae in flocks affected with joint ill, 10 sheep flocks in England and Wales with laboratory-confirmed cases of infectious arthritis (joint ill) caused by S dysgalactiae were visited during a disease outbreak while a further four flocks were visited during the lambing period in the year following an outbreak. A total of 5239 samples were collected for bacterial culture from 797 ewes and their 1314 lambs.

Authors: J. A. Findley, G. L. Pinchbeck, P. I. Milner, B. M. Bladon, J. Boswell, T. S. Mair, J. M. Suthers and E. R. Singer
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Summary
Reasons for performing study

The factors associated with outcome following solar foot penetration involving synovial structures treated using endoscopic lavage have not been described in the UK population.
Objectives

To provide descriptive data on horses with synovial contamination or sepsis following solar penetration in 4 UK equine referral hospitals and to identify specific factors associated with the outcome.
Study design

Retrospective case series.
Methods

Authors: CM Steel, RR Pannirselvam and GA Anderson
Journal: Australian Veterinary Journal

Objectives

The aims of this study were to determine the risk of septic arthritis after intra-articular medication (IAM) and to identify potential risk factors for this complication.
Design

A retrospective and prospective descriptive study of prevalence, and matched case–control study for risk factors.
Results

Authors: Hanna Borg and James L. Carmalt
Journal: Veterinary Surgery

Abstract

Objectives

To determine the frequency of postoperative septic arthritis after elective arthroscopy in the absence of prophylactic antimicrobial therapy and to report complication rate of 444 consecutive equine arthroscopies.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Animals

Horses (n = 444).

Methods

Authors: J. Wauters, F. Pille, A. Martens, T. Franck, D. Serteyn, F. Gasthuys and E. Meyer
Journal: Equine Veterinary Journal

Summary

Reasons for performing study

Equine joint infection is a life-threatening disorder, and confirmation of the diagnosis can be difficult. Synovial fluid biomarkers may assist the discrimination between infectious and noninfectious joint disease.

Objectives

This study investigates whether the immunological detection of total and enzymatically active myeloperoxidase (MPO) assists the diagnosis of joint infection in horses.

Methods

Authors: Tatiana Figueiredo, Bruna Dzyekanski, Cláudia T. Pimpão, Andressa B. Silveira, Luiz G. Capriglione, Pedro Vicente Michelotto Jr.
Journal: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Athletic horses often experience painful conditions of the musculoskeletal system, but their ability to compete can be prolonged using certain anesthetic agents. The present study investigated the ability of thermography to detect fetlock and middle carpal intrasynovial injections of bupivacaine hydrochloride in five mares. Saline injections were performed in the contralateral limbs. Thermographic evaluation was conducted at the dorsal and palmar aspects before (basal) and 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 1440 minutes after injection.

Authors: Turlough P. Mc Nally, Donnie E. Slone, Faith E. Hughes and Timothy M. Lynch
Journal: Veterinary Surgery

Objective
To describe a tenosynoviotomy technique for treatment of sepsis of the digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) in horses and report long-term outcome.

Study Design
Case series.

Animals
Horses (n = 9).

Methods

Authors: J. F. Griffin IV, M. C. Coleman, E. Quist, K. A. Spaulding, R. M. Dabareiner, D. K. Giri and R. R. Pool
Journal: Equine Veterinary Education

The purpose of this report is to describe the clinical, imaging and pathological findings in a Quarter Horse colt admitted to the Texas A&M University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for lameness of the left forelimb and left hindlimb. A presumptive diagnosis of left forelimb septic navicular bursitis was made ultrasonographically. A cyst-like lesion of the calcaneus was diagnosed radiographically and better characterised with computed tomography. The cyst-like lesion of the calcaneus was caused by infection with Actinobacillus sp.