R. equi ia a facultative intracellular micro-organism, who can survive an multiply in the macrophages.
Taxonomy
Family: Nocardiaceae
Genus: Prescotella equi
Formerly Corynebacterium equi / Rhodococcus equi
Natural habitats
In the environment, commonly found in dry and dusty soil, domesticated animals, (horses and goats), wild animals, bloodsucking arthropods, plants and in fresh and salt water.
Infection is primarily by inhalation of the bacteria, and also inoculation into a wound or mucous membrane and exposure to domestic animals.
Clinical significance
Are rarely found in humans.
At risk groups are immunocompromised people, such as HIV-AIDS patients or transplant recipients.
R. equi (P. equi) is still the most commonly found of this genus.
They are found in immune compromised patients, such as HIV, in these patients, the infection can be life threatening.
Possible infections, pneumonia, bacteremia, skin infections, endopthalmitis, peritonitis, catheter-related sepsis and abscess of the prostate.
