14세의 거세 마장마술마가 기침, 빈호흡, 점액농성의 비루를 호소하여 한국마사회 말보건원 동물병원에 내원하였다. 일반적인 광범위 항생제 치료를 3주간 실시하였으나 임상증상은 오히려 악화되었다. 이후 환자는 심한 기침과 점액농성의 비루, 빈호흡을 동반한 노력성 호흡, 운동능력저하 등의 임상증상과 기관세척액세포검사에서 심한 호중구성 염증이 관찰되어 만성폐쇄성폐질환으로 진단되었다. 마방 내 공기정화 노력과 병행한 3주간의 전신 글루코콜티코이드 치료를 실시한 결과 치료 후 임상증상이 현저히 개선되었다. 본 증례는 국내 말에서 다발하는 만성호흡기질환 중비감염성염증인 만성폐색성폐질환의 존재 가능성을 시사하였다. 향후 질병 발생 예방을 위해 말 사육 환경 내 존재하는 항원의 조사와 질병 발생율 조사가 필요할 것으로 판단된다.
A 14-year-old gelded dressage horse weighing 500 kg was presented to the Equine Medical Center of the Seoul Racecourse of Korea Racing Authority (KRA) due to coughing and mucopurulent nasal discharge. The horse was initiated with empirical antibiotic in the first place. However, the clinical signs did not improve but were rather exacerbated even after 3 weeks of therapy. Extensive diagnostic procedures including transtracheal wash (TTW) fluid cytology were undertaken. The localized wheezes and crackles were auscultated and an increase in the amount of mucopurulent exudate in trachea was observed at endoscopy. Infiltration of neutrophils was observed in the TTW fluid cytology implying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the systemic glucocorticoid therapy was to be given for 3 weeks with improved ventilation provided at the same time. The respiratory symptoms started to improve in 7 days of therapy and were fully resolved by when the therapy was terminated. The horse is clinically normal now and being monitored for development of any signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
