Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis: 108 cases (2008-2017).
Abstract: To describe the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the most commonly isolated bacteria cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis treated at an equine referral hospital between May 1, 2008, and September 24, 2017. Methods: 131 synovial fluid samples from 108 client-owned horses. Methods: A retrospective medical record search was conducted to identify horses with suspected septic synovitis and results of synovial fluid bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data collected included signalment, known or suspected origin of synovial contamination, synovial structures affected, antimicrobial treatment, and results of synovial fluid cytologic evaluation and bacterial culture and susceptibility testing. Horses were grouped as adults (≥ 6 months old) or foals (< 6 months old). Results: Results of bacterial culture were positive for 34 of 70 (49%) and 18 of 61 (30%) samples from 68 adult horses and 40 foals, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria were more common in adult horses, whereas gram-negative bacteria were more common in foals. No multidrug-resistant microorganisms were identified. For adult horses, 92% (23/25) of gram-positive isolates tested with penicillin and gentamicin were susceptible to the combination. For foals, 94% (15/16) of isolates tested with penicillin, gentamicin, or both had susceptibility to 1 or both antimicrobials. Conclusions: Periodic review of bacterial profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility in horses with septic synovitis can help to detect early changes in bacterial pressure and antimicrobial resistance. Findings suggested that in the geographic area we serve, a combination of penicillin and gentamicin would be an effective empirical antimicrobial treatment for most horses with septic synovitis while results of bacterial culture and susceptibility are pending.
Publication Date: 2020-03-17 PubMed ID: 32176585DOI: 10.2460/javma.256.7.800Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article looks into the patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria acquired from synovial fluid samples in horses suspected to have septic synovitis. The study was conducted in an equine referral hospital and findings suggest that a mix of penicillin and gentamicin is mostly efficient as an antimicrobial treatment.
Research Objective
- The main objective of this research was to examine the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the most frequently isolated bacteria gotten from synovial fluid samples of horses suspected to have septic synovitis. The study was conducted within an equine referral hospital between May 1, 2008, and September 24, 2017.
Methodology
- 131 synovial fluid samples were collected from 108 client-owned horses.
- A retrospective medical record scan was done to identify horses with suspected septic synovitis and results of synovial fluid bacterial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
- Data was amassed on the signalment, known or potential origin of synovial contamination, synovial structures affected, antimicrobial treatment, and results of synovial fluid cytologic evaluation and bacterial culture and susceptibility testing.
- Horses were classified into two categories: adults (6 months and older) or foals (less than 6 months old).
Results
- Results indicated that 34 of 70 (49%) and 18 of 61 (30%) samples from 68 adult horses and 40 foals respectively had positive results after bacterial culture.
- Gram-positive bacteria were more widespread in adult horses, while gram-negative bacteria were more prevalent in foals.
- No multidrug-resistant microorganisms were discovered.
- For adult horses, 92% (23/25) of gram-positive isolates tested with penicillin and gentamicin were susceptible to the pair.
- For foals, 94% (15/16) of isolates tested with penicillin, gentamicin, or both demonstrated susceptibility to one or both antimicrobials.
Conclusions
- The research concluded that regular reviews of bacterial profiles and antimicrobial susceptibility in horses with septic synovitis can assist in detecting early modifications in bacterial pressure and antimicrobial resistance.
- The findings suggested that in the geographical region served, a combination of penicillin and gentamicin would be an efficacious empirical antimicrobial treatment for most horses with septic synovitis while results of bacterial culture and susceptibility are pending.
Cite This Article
APA
Miagkoff L, Archambault M, Bonilla AG.
(2020).
Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates cultured from synovial fluid samples from horses with suspected septic synovitis: 108 cases (2008-2017).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 256(7), 800-807.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.256.7.800 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
- Horse Diseases / drug therapy
- Horses
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests / veterinary
- Retrospective Studies
- Synovial Fluid
- Synovitis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Avellar HK, Lutter JD, Ganta CK, Beard W, Smith JR, Jonnalagadda N, Peloquin S, Kang Q, Ayub K. In vitro antimicrobial activity of equine platelet lysate and mesenchymal stromal cells against common clinical pathogens. Can J Vet Res 2022 Jan;86(1):59-64.
- Bonilla AG, Causeret L, Torrent-Crosa A. Pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur in the metacarpophalangeal joint after standing intravenous regional limb perfusion in horses. Can Vet J 2021 Sep;62(9):975-981.
- Mosichuk AP, Smith JS, Tatarniuk DM, Troy JR, Kreuder AJ. Meropenem Administered via Intravenous Regional Limb Perfusion for Orthopedic Sepsis in Horses: A Clinical Retrospective Study. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:629627.
- Loppnow Z, Kersh K, Wang C, Spaethe S, Troy J. Clinical use of antimicrobial regional limb perfusion in adult horses diagnosed with synovial sepsis or penetrating synovial wounds at a single equine referral hospital in the Midwest United States-163 cases (2010-2020). Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1504486.
- Hallowell KL, Hepworth-Warren KL, Dembek K. An updated description of bacterial pneumonia in adult horses and factors associated with death. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2766-2775.
- Jimenez Rihuete P, Martin C, Villarino NF, Rubio-Martínez LM. Effect of silica-sprayed collection tubes on synovial fluid bacterial culture. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1501.
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