Spotlight on the Sanz Lab

Dr. Macarena Sanz
Associate Professor
Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

Research Area
Dr. Macarena Sanz assesses the utility of R. equi-specific hyperimmune plasma (Re-HIP) in preventing pneumonia under real-world conditions through a randomized, controlled, blinded field trial.

Origins
Dr. Sanz began her research on this clinically relevant problem that affects foals worldwide while completing a PhD at Gluck Equine Center at the University of Kentucky. “Rhodococcus equi pneumonia places a significant financial burden on horse owners and breeders and remains an important threat to foal health worldwide. In severe cases, the disease can be fatal,” she says.

Funding

• Grant from the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation to study if hyperimmune plasma decreases the incidence of Rhodococcal

Publications

• “Serum Electrolyte Changes in Foals Receiving Rhodococcus equi-Specific Hyperimmune Plasma,” Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care, 2026
• “Plasma Metabolome of Healthy and Rhodococcus equi-Infected Foals Over Time,” Equine Veterinary Journal, 2023
• “Comparison of the bronchoalveolar Iavage Fluid Proteomics Between Foals and Adult Horses,” PLoS One, 2023
• “Rhodococcus equi Foal Pneumonia: Update on Epidemiology, Immunity, Treatment, and Prevention,” Equine Veterinary Journal, 2022
• “The Type of Anticoagulant used for Plasma Collection Affects in vitro Rhodococcus equi Assays,” BMC Research Notes, 2022

Results
Reducing the prevalence of clinical pneumonia will directly decrease antimicrobial use and help limit the development of antimicrobial-resistant strains. Fewer foals requiring treatment also means lower costs and less labor for farms, as well as fewer treatment-related complications. Adverse effects such as hyperthermia, which can be fatal in severe cases, and diarrhea are common during treatment. Dr. Sanz’s research will continue to focus on developing improved diagnostic, treatment, and preventive strategies for Rhodococcus equi.

Research Team
Macarena Sanz
Collaborators: Noah Cohen, Texas A&M University; Monica Venner, Destedt, Germany; Lewitz Stud Farm, Germany