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Equine veterinary journal2012; 45(2); 154-158; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00595.x

Antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in three equine referral practices.

Abstract: Although antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea (AAD) is the most frequently observed adverse effect of antimicrobial therapy in horses, few multicentred studies on the prevalence of AAD have been performed. Objective: To determine the prevalence of AAD in horses that developed diarrhoea after antimicrobial treatment for nondiarrhoeic conditions and identify the antimicrobials used. Methods: The 2009 database of 3 referral hospitals was searched to identify nonhospitalised horses (weanling age or older) treated with antimicrobials for nongastrointestinal conditions. Horses with these criteria that presented with diarrhoea during 2009 were included in the study. Additional information, including antimicrobial administered and results of faecal pathogen testing, was gathered on each hospitalised case. Results: Of the 5251 horses treated with antimicrobials for nongastrointestinal signs, 32 were diagnosed with probable AAD, a prevalence of 0.6% (95% confidence interval: 0.43-0.86%). The AAD-diagnosed horses had an 18.8% (6/32) mortality rate. Horses with AAD had been treated for an average of 4.2 days. The most frequently used antimicrobials in horses with AAD were gentamicin in combination with penicillin (n = 7), enrofloxacin (n = 7) and doxycycline (n = 4). Clostridium difficile was identified in faecal samples from 4 horses, 2 of which died and Salmonella from 3 horses. Conclusions: Results indicated that the prevalence of AAD is low. Any antimicrobial class commonly used in equine practice is a potential cause of equine AAD. Other risk factors, such as opportunistic enteropathogens, may play a part in the development of diarrhoea secondary to antimicrobial usage. Conclusions: Although the risk of equine AAD is low, this sequela of antimicrobial treatment is possible especially when opportunistic enteropathogens or other risk factors are present. Because drugs from any antimicrobial class can be potentially involved in AAD, clinicians have additional incentive to ensure the judicious use of antimicrobial agents.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2012-07-11 PubMed ID: 22779907DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00595.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper talks about a study on the prevalence of antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea (AAD) among horses treated with antimicrobials for conditions other than gastrointestinal problems. The study, which was conducted in three referral hospitals, found the prevalence to be low but highlighted the importance of judicious use of antimicrobial agents due to the potential risk of AAD.

Objective and Methods of the Research

  • The study aimed to determine how common AAD is in horses that developed diarrhoea following their treatment with antimicrobials for conditions that are not connected with their digestive system. The study also identified the specific antimicrobials used in treatment.
  • The researchers used the 2009 database of three referral hospitals to find cases where non-hospitalised horses, of weanling age or older, were treated with antimicrobials for non-gastrointestinal conditions.
  • Only horses that fit the criteria and had also presented with diarrhoea in the year were included in the study.
  • Further data, such as the specific antimicrobial administered and results of faecal pathogen testing, were gathered for each hospitalised case.

Findings of the Research

  • Out of 5251 horses treated with antimicrobials for non-gastrointestinal problems, 32 were diagnosed with probable AAD. This means a prevalence of 0.6%, indicating that AAD is relatively rare in horses.
  • The mortality rate among the horses diagnosed with AAD was 18.8%.
  • The average duration of antimicrobial treatment before AAD developed was 4.2 days.
  • The most frequently used antimicrobials in cases with AAD were a combination of gentamicin and penicillin, enrofloxacin and doxycycline.
  • Clostridium difficile was found in the faecal samples of four horses, two of which passed away. Salmonella was found in three horses.

Conclusions of the Research

  • The results show that AAD is not very common in horses. However, any class of antimicrobials commonly used in veterinary practice can potentially cause AAD.
  • Risk factors such as opportunistic enteropathogens (disease-causing agents that take advantage of certain situations) can contribute to the development of diarrhoea secondary to the use of antimicrobials.
  • Despite the low risk of AAD, it may still occur, especially in presence of opportunistic enteropathogens or other risk factors. This creates a need for careful use of antimicrobial agents.

Cite This Article

APA
Barr BS, Waldridge BM, Morresey PR, Reed SM, Clark C, Belgrave R, Donecker JM, Weigel DJ. (2012). Antimicrobial-associated diarrhoea in three equine referral practices. Equine Vet J, 45(2), 154-158. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00595.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 45
Issue: 2
Pages: 154-158

Researcher Affiliations

Barr, B S
  • Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, Kentucky, USA.
Waldridge, B M
    Morresey, P R
      Reed, S M
        Clark, C
          Belgrave, R
            Donecker, J M
              Weigel, D J

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Anti-Bacterial Agents / adverse effects
                • Diarrhea / chemically induced
                • Diarrhea / epidemiology
                • Diarrhea / veterinary
                • Horse Diseases / chemically induced
                • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
                • Horses

                Citations

                This article has been cited 21 times.
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