What causes purpura Hemorrhagica?
Purpura hemorrhagica is an immune mediated condition caused by vasculitis, or an inflammation of the blood vessels. This causes bleeding and swelling and is believed to be an allergic reaction to a previous infection of any streptococcal bacteria, such as strangles, or a virus.
How do you treat Purpura Hemorrhagica in horses?
Treatment. A veterinarian usually starts the horse on dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, which eases the immune reaction. In addition, antibiotics will stop any other respiratory infections and prevent further infections. The disease is often mild and the horse recovers well.
What is a hemorrhagic purpura?
Hemorrhagic purpura is an acute or chronic disease characterized by a marked decrease in the number of blood platelets, spontaneous hemorrhages from mucous membranes and purpura.
What does strangles do to horses?
Strangles is a highly contagious disease of the equine upper respiratory tract caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S. equi). The bacteria cross mucous membranes in the nose and mouth to infect lymph nodes where they cause abscesses that can eventually rupture.
How is Purpura Hemorrhagica diagnosed?
Diagnosis. Diagnosis of purpura hemorrhagica is typically based on the results of skin biopsy evaluation, a history of recent respiratory infection or vaccination, relevant clinical signs, and the absence of other causes of vasculitis.
What are the signs and symptoms of purpura?
Symptoms of purpura
- Low platelet count, which may lead to increased bleeding after an injury, bleeding gums or nose, or blood in urine or bowel movements.
- Sore, swollen joints, particularly in the ankles and knees.
- Gut problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain.
Can humans catch strangles from horses?
Transmission to Humans. In rare cases, humans have contracted infections from the bacteria that cause Strangles. To prevent human infection, people caring for horses with Strangles should avoid getting any nasal or abscess discharge from the horse on their eyes, nose, or mouth.
What is the pathogenesis of purpura hemorrhagica?
Although the exact pathogenesis of purpura hemorrhagica is not fully understood, it appears to be a vasculitis caused by the deposition of immune complexes in blood vessel walls. Purpura is often associated with S. equi infection but may also occur in response to a number of different antigens.
How common is purpurpura hemorrhagica in horses?
Purpura hemorrhagica is an uncommon, noncontagious, sporadic disease of horses. It has also been recorded in pigs and cattle. Estimates of the incidence of the disease are uncommon and imprecise. There was an incidence of 27 cases in 1438 horses housed over a 3-year period in a Swedish Army remount facility.
How long does it take to see signs of purpura hemorrhagica?
You may not see any signs of the condition until 2 to 3 weeks after infection. Symptoms include: Purpura hemorrhagica is believed to be an immune response to a previous infection, which causes the overproduction of antibodies that deposit onto the walls of blood vessels.
What is the difference between strangles and purpura hemorrhagica?
While strangles is highly contagious, purpura hemorrhagica is not, and affected horses cannot infect healthy horses. Purpura hemorrhagica is an immune mediated condition caused by vasculitis, or an inflammation of the blood vessels.
