Which pathogen is classically associated with strangles in horses?

Which pathogen is classically associated with strangles in horses?

• A. Staphylococcus Aureus
• B. E. coli
• C. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
• D. Streptococcus Equi

Answer: (D)

Strangles is a contagious upper respiratory disease of horses whose classic etiologic agent is Streptococcus equi. This gram-positive cocci colonizes the upper airway tissues and triggers inflammation of the regional lymph nodes, especially the submandibular nodes, leading to painful swelling and abscess formation that can obstruct breathing or swallowing. Because of its direct horse-to-horse spread via contact and contaminated gear, Streptococcus equi is the textbook cause of strangles. The other organisms listed are associated with different infections—Staphylococcus aureus more often with skin and soft tissue infections, Escherichia coli with enteric or septic infections, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with opportunistic wound or respiratory infections—so they are not the classic agents behind strangles.

Strangles is a contagious upper respiratory disease of horses whose classic etiologic agent is Streptococcus equi. This gram-positive cocci colonizes the upper airway tissues and triggers inflammation of the regional lymph nodes, especially the submandibular nodes, leading to painful swelling and abscess formation that can obstruct breathing or swallowing. Because of its direct horse-to-horse spread via contact and contaminated gear, Streptococcus equi is the textbook cause of strangles. The other organisms listed are associated with different infections—Staphylococcus aureus more often with skin and soft tissue infections, Escherichia coli with enteric or septic infections, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with opportunistic wound or respiratory infections—so they are not the classic agents behind strangles.