What Researchers Did
Researchers described the first case of zoonotic necrotizing myositis caused by *Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus* in a 73-year-old farmer.
What They Found
The farmer rapidly developed severe erythema, sepsis, and multiple organ failure after close contact with his asymptomatic Shetland ponies. The causative bacterium was identified as *S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus* (ST 364), expressing virulence factors similar to *Streptococcus pyogenes*, and the patient was discharged after 30 days of intensive treatment.
Canadian Relevance
This study describes a case from outside Canada and does not have a direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
As a single case report, the findings of this study cannot be generalized to a broader patient population.