Bacteriologic examination of equine fecal flora as a diagnostic tool for equine intestinal clostridiosis.
Abstract: The fecal flora of 56 clinically healthy and 23 sick horses were examined bacteriologically for counts of Clostridium perfringens, molds, coliforms, alpha- and beta-hemolytic streptococci, and microbes belonging to genus Bacillus, as well as for the presence of Salmonella spp. Of the healthy horses, 85.7% had a C perfringens count less than 10(1) colony-forming units/g of feces. Of the healthy horses, lowest counts were found in race-horses. Of the sick horses, equine intestinal clostridiosis was diagnosed in 2 horses with large C perfringens counts (10(4) to 10(7) colony-forming units/g) and with acute diarrhea. The 7 isolates of C perfringens were identified as serotype A. Salmonella spp were not detected from any of the horses. The study indicated that diagnosing equine intestinal clostridiosis based on the determination of the fecal C perfringens count was suitable.
Publication Date: 1981-12-01 PubMed ID: 6280523
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 research article explores how examining the bacteria in horse feces can be used to diagnose equine intestinal clostridiosis, a disease caused by Clostridium perfringens.
Objective of the Study
The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of scrutinizing bacterial populations in feces of healthy and sick horses as a means to diagnose equine intestinal clostridiosis.
Participants of the Study
For this study, fecal samples from 56 healthy horses and 23 sick horses were used.
Investigative method
- The count of different bacterial species, including Clostridium perfringens, molds, coliforms, alpha- and beta-hemolytic streptococci, and bacteria from the genus Bacillus were examined in all samples.
- They also checked for the presence of Salmonella spp in the feces.
Findings
- Of the healthy horses, 85.7% had a Clostridium perfringens count lower than 10(1) colony-forming units/g of feces. The lowest counts were identified in racehorses.
- Two sick horses diagnosed with equine intestinal clostridiosis had higher Clostridium perfringens counts (between 10(4) to 10(7) colony-forming units/g) and also exhibited symptoms of acute diarrhea.
- All hip samples with Clostridium perfringens were identified as serotype A.
- None of the equine samples showed the presence of Salmonella spp.
Conclusion
The study concluded that studying Clostridium perfringens counts in horse feces can be an effective diagnostic tool for detecting equine intestinal clostridiosis.
Cite This Article
APA
Wierup M, DiPietro JA.
(1981).
Bacteriologic examination of equine fecal flora as a diagnostic tool for equine intestinal clostridiosis.
Am J Vet Res, 42(12), 2167-2169.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bacillus / isolation & purification
- Bacteriological Techniques / veterinary
- Clostridium Infections / veterinary
- Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification
- Diarrhea / diagnosis
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses / microbiology
- Male
- Streptococcus / isolation & purification
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Abutarbush SM, Radostits OM. Jejunal hemorrhage syndrome in dairy and beef cattle: 11 cases (2001 to 2003). Can Vet J 2005 Aug;46(8):711-5.
- Embury-Hyatt CK, Wobeser G, Simko E, Woodbury MR. Investigation of a syndrome of sudden death, splenomegaly, and small intestinal hemorrhage in farmed deer. Can Vet J 2005 Aug;46(8):702-8.
- Songer JG. Clostridial enteric diseases of domestic animals. Clin Microbiol Rev 1996 Apr;9(2):216-34.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
