Purpura haemorrhagica


Purpura haemorrhagica is a rare complication of equine strangles and is caused by bleeding from capillaries which results in red spots on the skin and mucous membranes together with oedema of the limbs and the head. Purpura hemorrhagica is more common in younger animals.

Pathophysiology

Horses that develop purpura hemorrhagica usually have a recent history of strangles or vaccination for strangles. It is thought to be caused by an auto-immune reaction where antibodies against the S. equi M- or R-protein cross-react with proteins on endothelial cells. This results in vasculitis, leading to subsequent severe peripheral edema in the legs and ventral abdomen, as well as petechiation or ecchymoses over the mucous membranes.
Purpura hemorrhagica can also rarely be seen after infection with S. equi subsp.zooepidemicus, Rhodococcus equi, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, equine influenza virus, or equine herpes virus type 1, or without any apparent infection.

Clinical signs

The most common clinical sign is subcutaneous edema of the limbs and hemorrhages on mucous membranes. Other clinical signs include depression, anorexia, fever, elevated heart and respiratory rate, reluctance to move, drainage from lymph nodes, exudation of serum from the skin, colic, epistaxis and weight loss. Rarely, horses may also develop disseminated intravascular coagulation, leading to infarction of various organs, or chronic myositis and muscle atrophy.

Treatment

Treatment usually involves high doses of steroids such as dexamethasone. While high doses of steroids may risk laminitis, low doses are associated with refractory cases. Antibiotics are used to treat any residual nidus of S. equi. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as phenylbutazone or flunixin, may be useful to reduce fever and relieve pain. Intravenous DMSO is sometimes used as a free-radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory. Additionally, wrapping the legs may reduce edema and skin sloughing. Supportive care with oral or IV fluids may also be required.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good with early, aggressive treatment.

Prevention

Purpura hemorrhagica may be prevented by proper management during an outbreak of strangles. This includes isolation of infected horses, disinfection of fomites, and good hygiene by caretakers. Affected horses should be isolated at least one month following infection. Exposed horses should have their temperature taken daily and should be quarantined if it becomes elevated. Prophylactic antimicrobial treatment is not recommended.
Vaccination can reduce the incidence and severity of the disease. However, horses with high SeM antibody titers are more likely to develop purpura hemorrhagica following vaccination and so these horses should not be vaccinated. Titers may be measured by ELISA.