En retrospektiv studie av 48 føll med septisk artritt/osteomyelitt behandlet på NMBU og Bjerke Dyrehospital

Abstract

Background There is to date no published studies from foals with septic arthritis/ septic osteomyelitis in Norway, and only one study from Scandinavia. More research in this area will be of use for clinicians, as an aid in making decisions regarding treatment and owner-information about prognosis and treatment.

Aim To describe survival, diagnostics, and treatment, and find factors associated with survival.

Material and methods Retrospective case series. Data from 48 journals of foals hospitalized and treated for septic arthritis/ septic osteomyelitis at NMBU Equine Hospital and Bjerke Equine Hospital during the period 2006-2021 were investigated. Statistical analysis was preformed to find prognostic clinical factors. Results Of 48 foals, 38 survived. Half of the foals had positive bacteriology results. Of these positive results, half were gram positive. The foals had a median of 1,4 joints affected. Negative prognostic factors included other septic diagnoses, higher number of lesions (joints and osteomyelitic lesions), and higher number of joints affected. Major weaknesses: Retrospective study design and limited number of cases. Conclusion Survival amongst foals treated and hospitalized for septic arthritis/septic osteomyelitis in Norway is comparable to survival in other countries. They received similar treatment and similar diagnostics were preformed, as in other countries.

It is possible that number of lesions represents a good measure of severity and prognosis. Diagnostic imaging will therefore be beneficial and should most likely be performed in all cases.