Chronic laminitis is associated with potential bacterial pathogens in the laminae.
Abstract: A common sequella of chronic laminitis in horses is repeated abscesses with variable lameness and drainage. It is unclear whether the exudate represents the debridement phase of a non-septic inflammatory process involving clearance of laminar tissue damaged during the acute episode of laminitis, or a response to a microbial infection developed by ascent of microbes from the environment to the tissue via the white line. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possibility that an undiagnosed microbial infection in laminar tissue is present in laminar tissue collected from chronically laminitic horses without an active hoof abscess. Methods to collect laminar tissue, aseptically, from control (non-laminitic) horses and those with chronic/recurrent laminitis are described. Laminae homogenates were evaluated for the presence of bacteria. Bacteria were identified using biochemical tests and sequencing of 16S rRNA and virulence genes. Laminae from chronically laminitic horses revealed 100-fold higher levels (P=0.002) of bacteria compared to control, non-laminitic horses. Although environmental organisms were identified, potential pathogens were identified. Included were Gram positive bacteria, Brevibacterium luteolum, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. as well as Gram negative bacteria, enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Alcaligenes faecalis. Further research is warranted to evaluate the role of bacteria in equine chronic laminitis.
Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2012-02-21 PubMed ID: 22410310DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.02.024Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research explores the probability of an undetected bacterial infection in the laminae of horses suffering from chronic laminitis, a serious and reoccurring hoof illness. The findings indicated higher levels of bacteria in laminitis-affected horses than the control group, suggesting potential pathogens’ involvement in the disease.
Objective
The purpose of the study was to investigate the possibility that an unrecognized bacterial infection in the laminar tissue might be present in horses suffering from chronic laminitis without an active hoof abscess. Previously, it was uncertain whether the drainage from hoof abscesses in laminitic horses was due to a non-septic inflammatory process, or if it was a reaction to microbial infection originating from the environment.
Methodology
- The researchers developed methods to aseptically collect laminar tissue from both control (non-laminitic) horses and horses with chronic or recurrent laminitis.
- Then, these tissue samples were homogenized and examined for bacteria presence.
- The researchers identified bacteria present in these samples through biochemical tests and by sequencing 16S rRNA and virulence genes.
Results
- The study showed that laminar tissue from chronically laminitic horses had levels of bacteria that were 100-fold more than those from control, non-laminitic horses (P=0.002).
- While environmental organisms were found, potential pathogens were also identified, particularly Gram-positive bacteria like Brevibacterium luteolum, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, and Gram-negative bacteria like enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli and Alcaligenes faecalis.
Conclusion
The findings suggest a potential bacterial pathogenic involvement in chronic laminitis in horses. Given these observations, more research is needed to further examine the role of bacteria in the onset and progression of this equine disease, which could potentially open new avenues for treatment and management of chronic laminitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Onishi JC, Park JW, Häggblom MM, Fennell MJ, Fugaro MN.
(2012).
Chronic laminitis is associated with potential bacterial pathogens in the laminae.
Vet Microbiol, 158(3-4), 329-336.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2012.02.024 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Science Center, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA. onishi@aesop.rutgers.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bacteria / classification
- Bacteria / genetics
- Bacteria / isolation & purification
- Bacterial Infections / microbiology
- Bacterial Infections / pathology
- Bacterial Load
- Bacterial Physiological Phenomena
- Brevibacterium / classification
- Brevibacterium / genetics
- Female
- Foot Diseases / microbiology
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Kuwano A, Niwa H, Arai K. New methods for isolation of keratolytic bacteria inducing intractable hoof wall cavity (Gidoh) in a horse; double screening procedures of the horn powder agar-translucency test and horn zymography. J Equine Sci 2017;28(1):19-25.
- Salas EN, Royal D, Kurz L, Loy JD. Osteomyelitis associated with Nocardiopsis composta in a dog. Can Vet J 2015 May;56(5):466-70.
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