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Home / Equine Research Bank / Equine Vet J / Changes in the faecal bacterial microbiota during hospitalis...
Equine veterinary journal2020; 53(6); 1119-1131; doi: 10.1111/evj.13389

Changes in the faecal bacterial microbiota during hospitalisation of horses with colic and the effect of different causes of colic.

Abstract: Previous studies have identified alterations in the faecal microbiota of horses with colic; however, further work is needed to interpret these findings. Objective: To compare the faecal microbiota of horses presenting for colic at hospital admission, day 1 and day 3/discharge and with different colic duration and lesion locations. Methods: Prospective observational clinical study. Methods: Faecal samples were collected from 17 colic cases at hospital admission, on day 1 and on day 3 post-admission or at the time of hospital discharge if prior to 72 hours. Faecal samples were extracted for genomic DNA, PCR-amplified, sequenced and analysed using QIIME. Species richness and Shannon diversity (alpha diversity) were estimated. The extent of the relationship between bacterial communities (beta diversity) was quantified using pairwise UniFrac distances, visualised using principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and statistically analysed using permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA). The relative abundance of bacterial populations at the different time points and in different types of colic was compared using ANCOM. Results: There was a decrease in species richness from admission to day 3/hospital discharge (P < .05), and a lower species richness (P = .005) and Shannon diversity (P = .02) in horses with colic ≥60 h compared to <60 h. Based on PCoA and PERMANOVA, there was a significant difference in bacterial community composition for horses with different colic duration (P = .001) and lesion location (P = .006). Several differences in bacterial phyla and genera were observed at different time points and with different types of colic. Conclusions: Relatively low numbers and a diverse population of horses. Conclusions: The microbiota change from hospital admission to day 3/discharge in horses with colic and horses with colic ≥60 h and large colon lesions have a distinct bacterial population compared to horses with colic <60 h and small intestinal lesions.
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Publication Date: 2020-12-14 PubMed ID: 33222287DOI: 10.1111/evj.13389Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Observational Study
  • Veterinary

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 study explores the changes in the faecal microbiota of horses suffering from colic during their stay at the hospital and looks into variations associated with the duration of colic and the location of colic lesions.

Study Objective and Methods

  • The aim of this research was to compare faecal microbiota in horses brought in for colic treatment at various stages: upon hospital admission, a day after, and three days post-admission or the discharge day, if earlier than three days.
  • Changes were also examined in relation to different lengths of time the colic persisted and the lesions’ locations in the intestines.
  • A total of 17 colic cases were studied. Faecal samples were collected at the specified time points and were examined for genomic DNA through PCR amplification and sequencing. They were then analysed using QIIME software.
  • The team estimated species richness and Shannon diversity (alpha diversity) as measures of diversity within each sample.
  • The degrees of relationships between different bacterial communities (beta diversity) were determined with UniFrac distances. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was used for visualisation and statistical analysis was carried out using permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA).

Results

  • The research concluded a significant decrease in species richness was observed from the time of admission to day 3/discharge.
  • Further, the study noted a lower species richness and Shannon diversity in horses with colic that had been present for 60 or more hours in comparison to those with the ailment for less than 60 hours.
  • With the help of PCoA and PERMANOVA, the researchers found a significant difference in the bacterial community composition for horses with different colic durations and locations of colic lesions.
  • A number of differences in bacterial phyla and genera at different time points and with different forms of colic were discovered.

Conclusion

  • Although the number of horses studied was relatively small and diverse, the researchers concluded that the microbiota changes in horses with colic from the time of hospital admission to their discharge or the third day of hospitalization.
  • Furthermore, horses suffering from colic for 60 hours or more with large colon lesions had a different bacterial population mix in comparison to horses with colic for less than 60 hours or with small intestinal lesions.

Cite This Article

APA
Stewart HL, Pitta D, Indugu N, Vecchiarelli B, Hennessy ML, Engiles JB, Southwood LL. (2020). Changes in the faecal bacterial microbiota during hospitalisation of horses with colic and the effect of different causes of colic. Equine Vet J, 53(6), 1119-1131. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13389

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 6
Pages: 1119-1131

Researcher Affiliations

Stewart, Holly L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Pitta, Dipti
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Indugu, Nagaraju
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Vecchiarelli, Bonnie
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Hennessy, Meagan L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Engiles, Julie B
  • Department of Pathobiology, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Southwood, Louise L
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Colic / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Hospitalization
  • Microbiota
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 16S

Grant Funding

  • Raymond Firestone Trust Research Grant

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