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Identification of A ctinomyces denticolens as a cause of a soft tissue abscess in a horse
Author(s) -
Feary DJ,
Abraham S,
Woolford L,
Trott DJ
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
australian veterinary journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.382
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1751-0813
pISSN - 0005-0423
DOI - 10.1111/avj.12102
Subject(s) - actinomyces , soft tissue , horse , abscess , identification (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , pathology , actinomycosis , medicine , biology , surgery , bacteria , genetics , ecology , paleontology
Case report A 6‐year‐old A rabian mare had a 4‐week history of a subcutaneous mass (15 × 15 cm) at the base of the neck, cranial and distal to the prescapular lymph node on the right side. The mass was solid and painful on deep palpation. Ultrasonographic examination showed a soft‐tissue abscess. Purulent aspirate was submitted for bacterial culture, which showed a moderate growth of an Actinomyces species. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed for definitive identification. Gene sequencing demonstrated close nucleotide homology with A . denticolens . Prolonged therapeutic management resulted in resolution of the abscess with a small scar. Conclusions Speciation of actinomycetes is not a routine diagnostic procedure and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify A . denticolens as a cause of soft‐tissue abscessation in horses in A ustralia has not been previously described. Practitioners should include this bacterial species in their differential diagnosis, particularly if abscesses do not respond to drainage and lavage alone.