The first case of equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) in an Austrian horse

In this paper the first case of equine granulocytic ehrlichiosis (EGE) of a 14 years old brown irish mare is reported in Austria. Two days before hosp italizing the mare at the Clinic for Internal Medicine, Veterinary Universi ty of Vienna the horse was depressed, had no appetite, mild edematous hind limbs, fever (40.3 degrees C), icteric mucous membranes and was treated wit h penicilline and streptomycine. Mild tick infestation with Ixodes ricinus was observed. All other animals in the same stable were normal. Because of the clinical and characteristic laboratory features a provisional diagnosis of blood parasites were made. In blood smears stained with Diff Quik(R) el ementary bodies of Ehrlichia equi were detected. Further investigations (In direct Fluorescent Antibody Test) followed for testing antibodies against E . equi. From the first day of hospitalization specific antibodies were foun d. A titre of 1 : 320 of day one increased to values of 1 : 2.560 after 5 d ays and was specific for diagnosis. Seven mg/kg BW oxytetracycline were adm inistered intravenously once a day for 5 days. The condition improved withi n twelve hours and the mare got sound. The potential danger of human infect ions with E. equi is pointed out.