An update on Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in foals

Abstract

Rhodococcus equi is one of the most common causes of pneumonia in foals. Despite the widespread presence of R.equi in the environment, there is marked variation in disease prevalence. Several studies have investigated the factors that may play a role in this variation, although further research is required. The insidious nature of R.equi can make early diagnosis challenging, therefore screening of foals is common practice on endemic farms. A consequence of this has been the mass overtreatment of foals with subclinical infection, which has contributed to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Further strategies are required to better identify foals that require treatment, in order to reduce antimicrobial use without resulting in increased mortality. Effective preventative measures are also an area of great importance. Currently, the administration of hyperimmune plasma is the mainstay of prevention, but vaccination represents the ideal prevention strategy and is a major goal for the future.