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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Diagn Invest / Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. from horses: a retrospecti...
Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc2012; 24(1); 142-147; doi: 10.1177/1040638711434138

Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. from horses: a retrospective study (2000-2010).

Abstract: The goal of this retrospective study was to have a comprehensive picture of the β-hemolytic streptococci of horses including tissue/organ distributions and susceptibility patterns against specific antimicrobials between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2010. A total of 2,497 β-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 2,391 cases, of which Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus was the most frequent isolate (72.0%). Other species isolated were Streptococcus dysgalactia subsp. equisimilis (21.3%), Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (5.8%), and unidentified β-hemolytic streptococci (0.9%). As expected, S. equi was mostly isolated from lymph node abscesses and the respiratory tract in foals and adult horses. Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis were mostly isolated from placenta, fetal tissues, and genital tract of horses; S. zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis were also recovered in significant numbers from a number of other organs including lung, liver, brain, kidney, and joints, indicating a much broader tissue tropism than S. equi. In addition, more than 1 Streptococcus spp. was recovered in 106 cases, indicating the co-existence of these bacteria in some horses. This data also suggested that S. equisimilis is a major bacterial agent of horses, contrary to present knowledge. Based on Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility data, streptococci were found to be generally susceptible to cephalothin, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin, and ticarcillin and clavulanate. Resistance to antimicrobials has not developed over the years, except for gentamicin and tetracycline against S. equisimilis.
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Publication Date: 2012-03-01 PubMed ID: 22362945DOI: 10.1177/1040638711434138Google 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 retrospective study focused on understanding the distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of β-hemolytic streptococci in horses between the years 2000 and 2010. The study collected data from 2,391 cases and identified four main streptococci species.

Streptococcus Species Identification

  • The study included a total of 2,497 β-hemolytic streptococci isolated from horses. The species were categorized into four types: Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus, S. dysgalactia subsp. equisimilis, S. equi subsp. equi and unidentified β-hemolytic streptococci.
  • The majority of the isolations (72.0%) were identified as S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus, which was the most frequently found strain in the study.
  • Other species were isolated at lesser frequencies with S. dysgalactia subsp. equisimilis at 21.3%, S. equi subsp. equi at 5.8% and unidentified β-hemolytic streptococci made up the smallest proportion at 0.9%.

Distribution of Streptococcus Species in Horses

  • The study looked at the distribution of the streptococci species in different organs and tissues of the horses. S. equi was primarily isolated from lymph node abscesses and the respiratory tract in both younger and adult horses.
  • S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus and S. equisimilis were mostly found in the placenta, fetal tissues, and the genital tract of horses. They were also commonly discovered in other organs including the lung, liver, brain, kidney, and joints.
  • The research found that more than one streptococcus species was present in 106 of the cases, suggesting that different species of these bacteria can co-exist in the same horse.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Streptococcus Species

  • Streptococci in horses were generally susceptible to specific antimicrobials such as cephalothin, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin, and ticarcillin and clavulanate, based on Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility data.
  • There has been no development of resistance to these antimicrobials over the ten-year study period, except for gentamicin and tetracycline specifically against the S. equisimilis species.

Cite This Article

APA
Erol E, Locke SJ, Donahoe JK, Mackin MA, Carter CN. (2012). Beta-hemolytic Streptococcus spp. from horses: a retrospective study (2000-2010). J Vet Diagn Invest, 24(1), 142-147. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638711434138

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: 24
Issue: 1
Pages: 142-147

Researcher Affiliations

Erol, Erdal
  • University of Kentucky, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, PO Box 14125, Lexington, KY 40512-4125, USA. erdal.erol@uky.edu
Locke, Stephan J
    Donahoe, Judy K
      Mackin, Mary A
        Carter, Craig N

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
          • Disk Diffusion Antimicrobial Tests / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
          • Horse Diseases / microbiology
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Retrospective Studies
          • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
          • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology
          • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
          • Streptococcus / drug effects
          • Streptococcus / isolation & purification
          • Streptococcus equi / drug effects
          • Streptococcus equi / isolation & purification

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