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Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2021; 34(3); 354-375; doi: 10.1177/10406387211057469

Bacterial and viral enterocolitis in horses: a review.

Abstract: Enteritis, colitis, and enterocolitis are considered some of the most common causes of disease and death in horses. Determining the etiology of these conditions is challenging, among other reasons because different causes produce similar clinical signs and lesions, and also because some agents of colitis can be present in the intestine of normal animals. We review here the main bacterial and viral causes of enterocolitis of horses, including Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens type A NetF-positive, C. perfringens type C, Clostridioides difficile, Clostridium piliforme, Paeniclostridium sordellii, other clostridia, Rhodococcus equi, Neorickettsia risticii, Lawsonia intracellularis, equine rotavirus, and equine coronavirus. Diarrhea and colic are the hallmark clinical signs of colitis and enterocolitis, and the majority of these conditions are characterized by necrotizing changes in the mucosa of the small intestine, colon, cecum, or in a combination of these organs. The presumptive diagnosis is based on clinical, gross, and microscopic findings, and confirmed by detection of some of the agents and/or their toxins in the intestinal content or feces.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-11 PubMed ID: 34763560PubMed Central: PMC9254067DOI: 10.1177/10406387211057469Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This article is a comprehensive review of the main bacterial and viral causes of enterocolitis – an inflammation of the digestive tract causing severe disease and death – in horses. It also discusses the diagnostic challenges as well as the symptoms observed.

About Bacterial and Viral Enterocolitis in Horses

  • The study focuses on a severe health issue in horses, namely enteritis, colitis, and enterocolitis. These different forms of gastrointestinal inflammation are among the most common causes of disease and death in horses.
  • Identifying the cause of these conditions is a complex process. It is complicated by factors such as similar clinical signs and lesions caused by different underlying issues and the fact that some colitis-causing agents can be found even in the intestines of healthy animals.

The Causes of Enterocolitis

  • The article reviews and discusses the major bacterial and viral causes of these conditions in horses. Some of the pathogens that the researchers highlight include different types of spp., type A NetF-positive, type C, , , , and other clostridia. In terms of viruses, horse-specific rotavirus and coronavirus are noted contributors to the issue.

Clinical Signs and Diagnosis

  • The major clinical signs of colitis and enterocolitis in horses are diarrhea and colic. These conditions often cause necrotizing changes in the digestive tract lumen. This can affect the small intestine, colon, cecum, or a combination of these organs.
  • The process of diagnosing these conditions is largely presumptive and is based on clinical, gross, and microscopic findings. The detection of either specific pathogens or their toxins in the horse’s intestinal content or feces confirms the diagnosis.

Conclusion

  • This comprehensive review provides valuable insight into the causes, symptoms, and diagnosis of enterocolitis in horses. Such knowledge could be instrumental in improving the management and treatment of these serious health conditions in the equine population.

Cite This Article

APA
Uzal FA, Arroyo LG, Navarro MA, Gomez DE, Asín J, Henderson E. (2021). Bacterial and viral enterocolitis in horses: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest, 34(3), 354-375. https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387211057469

Publication

Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc
ISSN: 1943-4936
NlmUniqueID: 9011490
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 3
Pages: 354-375

Researcher Affiliations

Uzal, Francisco A
  • California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, USA.
Arroyo, Luis G
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Navarro, Mauricio A
  • California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, USA.
  • Instituto de Patología Animal, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile.
Gomez, Diego E
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Asín, Javier
  • California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, USA.
Henderson, Eileen
  • California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California-Davis, San Bernardino Laboratory, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Clostridioides difficile
  • Clostridium
  • Clostridium Infections / veterinary
  • Clostridium perfringens
  • Colitis / veterinary
  • Enterocolitis / diagnosis
  • Enterocolitis / microbiology
  • Enterocolitis / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / pathology
  • Horses

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of conflicting interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to theresearch, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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