Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Equine dermatological bacterial pustular infections (contagious acne) associated with harness pressure points.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Contagious Acne (Canadian Horse Pox Contagious Pustular Dermatitis):
- A bacterial skin disease of horses characterized by painful papules, pustules, and small abscesses developing in skin areas in contact with tack and harness (saddle and girth regions).
- The definitive etiological agent is the bacterium {Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (nitrate-negative equine biotype), which also causes equine ulcerative lymphangitis and pigeon fever (pectoral abscesses).
- Despite the historical misnomer 'Canadian horse pox', it is caused by a bacterium, not a poxvirus.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, Contagious acne is caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, matching option (B).