[Bacteriological findings for endodontical and apical molar dental diseases in the horse].

The research article discusses the bacteriological findings connected with molar dental disease in horses. The researchers aim to identify the types of microbes present in 20 horses suffering from this disease. The results show multiple types and high concentrations of infectious agents, prompting recommendations for pre-surgical antibacterial therapy.

Objective of study

• The main purpose of the study is to identify the bacteria involved in molar dental diseases in horses, specifically in those where the infected tooth had to be surgically removed due to the severity of the disease.
• This objective was achieved by taking swab samples from 20 affected horses and performing microbiological tests to detect both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

Results of the research

• Infectious agents were found in 19 out of 20 horses. A total of 27 different species of infectious agents were discovered, including both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.
• 75% of the patients were found to have a mixed flora of microbes. Interestingly, the gram-negative obligatory anaerobic bacteria were the most predominant, isolated from 17 horses.
• The most commonly found genera among these bacteria were Prevotella spp (found in 16 horses) and Fusobacterium spp. (found in 15 horses).

Implications of the findings

• The researchers suggest the use of pre-surgical antibacterial therapy to lower the risk of bacteraemia (presence of bacteria in the blood) during or after surgery and its serious implications.
• Considering the high resistance against the anaerobic bacteria found in the study, all patients were treated with the antibiotic Amoxicillin as part of their post-surgery care plan.
• This study emphasizes the importance of early detection and treatment of dental diseases in horses to prevent severe consequences like septicaemia (serious bloodstream infection).