What is the most common risk factor for septic arthritis in neonatal foals and calves?

What is the most common risk factor for septic arthritis in neonatal foals and calves?

• A. Premature birth
• B. Failure of passive transfer
• C. Poor calf nursing
• D. Intrauterine infection

Answer: (B)

Neonates rely on colostral antibodies to protect them in the first days of life. When there is failure of passive transfer, the animal has very low circulating immunoglobulins, leading to poor opsonization and a weakened ability to clear bacteria from the bloodstream. Bacteria can then spread hematogenously and seed joints, causing septic arthritis. This link between deficient passive immunity and joint infection makes failure of passive transfer the most common risk factor in neonatal foals and calves. Premature birth, poor nursing, or intrauterine infection can contribute, but they are less consistently associated with septic arthritis than the absence of sufficient colostral antibodies.

Neonates rely on colostral antibodies to protect them in the first days of life. When there is failure of passive transfer, the animal has very low circulating immunoglobulins, leading to poor opsonization and a weakened ability to clear bacteria from the bloodstream. Bacteria can then spread hematogenously and seed joints, causing septic arthritis. This link between deficient passive immunity and joint infection makes failure of passive transfer the most common risk factor in neonatal foals and calves. Premature birth, poor nursing, or intrauterine infection can contribute, but they are less consistently associated with septic arthritis than the absence of sufficient colostral antibodies.