Rhodococcus equi

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Classification

Bacteria/Actinobacteria/Actinobacteria; Actinobacteridae; Actinomycetales; Corynebacterineae; Nocardiaceae

Genus Species

Rhodococcus; Rhodococcus equi

These are stained, cytoplasmic bodies of R. equi within lung tissue.

Description and Significance

Rhodococcus equi, originally discovered in horses by Magnusson, is a pathogen that is known to be able to affect animals and humans [1].

Structure, Metabolism, and Life Cycle

Interesting features of its structure; how it gains energy (how it replicates, if virus); what important molecules it produces (if any), does it have an interesting life cycle?

Foals can contract deadly pneumonia from R. equi. (Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt)

Ecology and Pathogenesis

Natural habitat (soil, water, commensal of humans or animals?)
If relevant, how does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, or plant hosts? Important virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

References

[1] Kedlaya, Indira. 2013. "Rhodococcus equi". Medscape Reference: Drugs, Diseases and Pathogens. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/235466-overview [2] Kulich, Scott M., Pasculle, William A. 1998. "Final Diagnosis--Pneumonia, Hilar Lymphadenitis and Sepsis Secondary to Rhodococcus equi." UPMC Department of Pathology. http://path.upmc.edu/cases/case146/dx.html [3] Prescott, John F. 1991. "Rhodococcus Equi: an Animal and Human Pathogen." Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 4 (1): 20-34. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC358176/pdf/cmr00042-0036.pdf

Author

Page authored by Mattie Hogg, student of Mandy Brosnahan, Instructor at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, MICB 3301/3303: Biology of Microorganisms.