Strangles in a polo mare in Nigeria: Clinical, bacteriological and molecular characterisation of Streptococcus equi

Abstract

Abstract This report describes a confirmed case of strangles in an 18‐year‐old Sudanese polo mare at the Eleyele Polo Club in Ibadan, Nigeria. The mare presented with fever (40.0°C), bilateral submandibular and retropharyngeal lymphadenopathy, and spontaneous abscess rupture with thick purulent discharge. Haematological findings revealed neutrophilic leukocytosis with a left shift and mild anaemia. Bacteriological culture yielded beta‐haemolytic, catalase‐negative, Gram‐positive cocci in short chains. Molecular characterisation by 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified the isolate as Streptococcus equi . Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated sensitivity to gentamicin, chloramphenicol, tigecycline, linezolid and vancomycin, and resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, erythromycin and cefepime. Treatment with intravenous gentamicin and daily wound care led to complete clinical recovery within 5 days. This case highlights the importance of laboratory confirmation and susceptibility‐guided treatment in managing strangles and underscores the need for routine biosecurity monitoring at equine facilities in Nigeria.