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Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association2001; 218(10); 1608-1610; doi: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1608

Bacterial isolates from blood and their susceptibility patterns in critically ill foals: 543 cases (1991-1998).

Abstract: To assess microorganisms isolated from blood specimens obtained from critically ill neonatal foals and to evaluate their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 543 neonatal foals. Methods: Medical records of foals that were < 1 month old and were admitted to a referral neonatal intensive care unit were reviewed for results of bacteriologic culture of blood and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Results: At least 1 microorganism was isolated from 155 of 543 (28.5%) foals. Escherichia coli was the most commonly isolated bacterium. A single gram-positive organism was detected in 49 foals. Although 90% of the E coli isolates were susceptible to amikacin, some gram-negative and gram-positive organisms had resistance against multiple antimicrobials. Conclusions: Gram-negative bacteria remain the most common isolates from blood of neonatal foals; however, gram-positive organisms were also found, and with greater prevalence than reported elsewhere. Susceptibility patterns may vary, and resistance to multiple antimicrobials may develop. This is especially true for organisms such as Enterobacter spp and Enterococcus spp. Prudent empirical treatment for neonatal sepsis should include broad-spectrum antimicrobials.
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Publication Date: 2001-06-08 PubMed ID: 11393374DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1608Google 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.

The research investigates the types of bacteria found in the blood of sick newborn foals and their resistance levels to different antibiotics. It concludes that the most commonly found bacteria types can develop resistance to many antimicrobials, leading to a recommendation to use wide-spectrum antibiotics when treating sepsis in neonatal foals.

Research Methodology

  • The research is based on a retrospective study that scrutinized medical records of 543 newborn foals that were under a month old and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • The documents were evaluated for blood bacteriology culture results and patterns of antimicrobial susceptibility.

Research Findings

  • Bacteria was isolated from around 28.5% of the foals (155 out of 543). The most commonly found bacterium was Escherichia coli, known as E. coli.
  • A single type of gram-positive bacteria was detected in 49 of the foals.
  • While 90% of the E. coli bacteria were susceptible to the antibiotic amikacin, other gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria showed resistance to several antimicrobials.

Research Conclusions

  • The study found that gram-negative bacteria were most commonly isolated from the blood of neonatal foals. However, gram-positive bacteria were also detected, and even more frequently than reported in previous studies.
  • The study also pointed out the existence of variability in susceptibility patterns to antibiotics and the potential for the development of resistance against multiple antimicrobials. This was found to be especially true for bacteria such as Enterobacter species and Enterococcus species.
  • The researchers therefore suggest that when treating neonatal sepsis, broad-spectrum antimicrobials (antibiotics effective against a wide range of bacteria) should be used as a precaution.

Cite This Article

APA
Marsh PS, Palmer JE. (2001). Bacterial isolates from blood and their susceptibility patterns in critically ill foals: 543 cases (1991-1998). J Am Vet Med Assoc, 218(10), 1608-1610. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.218.1608

Publication

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN: 0003-1488
NlmUniqueID: 7503067
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 218
Issue: 10
Pages: 1608-1610

Researcher Affiliations

Marsh, P S
  • New Bolton Center, Department of Clinical Studies, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348, USA.
Palmer, J E

    MeSH Terms

    • Animals
    • Animals, Newborn
    • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
    • Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
    • Escherichia coli / drug effects
    • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
    • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology
    • Escherichia coli Infections / veterinary
    • Female
    • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
    • Gram-Positive Bacteria / drug effects
    • Horse Diseases / microbiology
    • Horses
    • Male
    • Retrospective Studies
    • Sepsis / microbiology
    • Sepsis / veterinary

    Citations

    This article has been cited 19 times.
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