Surgical resolution of accidental intramuscular injection of Gudair® vaccine in a mare

Abstract

This case report describes the accidental intramuscular administration of 20 mL Gudair® vaccine to a 7-year-old Standardbred mare and successful treatment of the resulting inflammatory reaction by radical surgical resection.

In this issue – September 2015

“…The mare was being treated by the owners with intramuscular procaine penicillin for a laceration, but a person unfamiliar with the treatment administered a large dose of Gudair® vaccine instead. Intramuscular administration of Gudair® caused severe, extensive myositis around the injection site similar to that described in sheep and humans …”

Reactions to Gudair® vaccination identified in sheep used for biomedical research

“…The development of lesions at the injection site following vaccination is recognised in sheep and cattle and is attributed to the oil-based adjuvant in the vaccine. 9 Accidental injection site lesions are also reported in humans 7,11 and in a horse, 8 with long-term morbidity in both species. The results of a study in a region of New South Wales with a high prevalence of OJD revealed a high proportion of lamb carcases carrying vaccination site lesions (64.2 AE 1.7%) compared with adult sheep (19 AE 2.6%).…”

“…3 The safety and efficacy of the vaccination has been investigated and although vaccination site reactions are reported, the benefit of vaccination is considered to outweigh the side effects. 7,8 The focus of concern over the incidence of these lesions is primarily the effect on carcase quality. This adjuvant is a Freund's complete adjuvant that is highly efficacious at stimulating a cell-mediated immune response and known to be reactive in human and animal tissues.…”

“…6 The vaccine can cause prolonged granulomatous inflammation and abscessation at the site of injection. 7,8 The focus of concern over the incidence of these lesions is primarily the effect on carcase quality. 9 However, these lesions may also have a welfare effect on sheep and in the context of biomedical research may present a challenge for researchers requiring a surgical model.…”