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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Microbiol / Clostridium difficile infection in horses: a review.
Veterinary microbiology2013; 167(1-2); 42-49; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.032

Clostridium difficile infection in horses: a review.

Abstract: Clostridium difficile is considered one of the most important causes of diarrhea and enterocolitis in horses. Foals and adult horses are equally susceptible to the infection. The highly resistant spore of C. difficile is the infectious unit of transmission, which occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route, with sources of infection including equine feces, contaminated soil, animal hospitals, and feces of other animals. Two major risk factors for the development of C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) in adult horses are hospitalization and antimicrobial treatment, although sporadically, cases of CDAD can occur in horses that have not received antimicrobials or been hospitalized. The most common antibiotics associated with CDAD in horses are erythromycin, trimethoprim/sulfonamides, β-lactam antimicrobials, clindamycin, rifampicin, and gentamicin. Clinical signs and intestinal lesions of CDAD infection are not specific and they cannot be used to distinguish infections by C. difficile from infections by other agents, such as Clostridium perfringens or Salmonella sp. The distribution of lesions throughout the intestinal tract seems to be age-dependent. Small intestine is invariably affected, and colon and cecum may or may not have lesions in foals<1-month old. Naturally acquired disease in older foals and adult horses has a more aboral distribution, affecting colon and sometimes cecum, but rarely the small intestine. Detection of toxin A, toxin B or both in intestinal contents or feces is considered the most reliable diagnostic criterion for CDAD in horses. Isolation of toxigenic strains of C. difficile from horses with intestinal disease is highly suggestive of CDAD. A better understanding of pathogenesis, reservoirs of infection, and vaccines and other methods of control is needed. Also further studies are recommended to investigate other possible predisposing factors and/or etiological agents of enteric diseases of horses.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2013-04-10 PubMed ID: 23642413DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.032Google 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.

This research article is a review of infection by the bacteria Clostridium difficile in horses. The paper discusses how the bacteria leads to diarrhea and enterocolitis in horses, the risk factors, potential sources of infection, the affected locations in the digestive tract, and methods for diagnostic testing.

Clostridium difficile Infection in Horses

  • The primary focus of the research article is a bacterial infection in horses caused by Clostridium difficile. This bacteria is a major cause of diarrhea and inflamed intestines (enterocolitis) in horses.
  • Both adults and foals are susceptible to the bacterial infection, highlighting the broad impact it can have across different horse age groups.
  • The bacteria can persist in a very resistant spore form, which is the main mode of transmission, mainly through the fecal-oral route.

Transmission and Risk Factors

  • The researchers discuss various sources of contamination with C. difficile. These include infected horse feces, soil contaminated with the bacteria, and environments such as animal hospitals. The bacteria can also spread through the feces of other infected animals.
  • The paper identifies the main risk factors for the onset of C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) in horses. These include hospitalization and antibacterial treatment. However, some cases do occur without any of these factors being involved.
  • The antibiotics linked with CDAD in horses include erythromycin, trimethoprim/sulfonamides, β-lactam antibiotics, clindamycin, rifampicin, and gentamicin.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of CDAD

  • The authors remark that the clinical symptoms and intestinal damage from a CDAD infection are not unique and can coincide with infections from other bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens or Salmonella.
  • The location of the lesions throughout the intestines seems to depend on the age of the horse. In foals less than one month old, the small intestine is invariably affected and the colon and cecum may or may not have lesions. In older foals and adult horses, the disease affects the colon and occasionally the cecum but rarely the small intestine.
  • The most reliable method of diagnosis is the detection of toxin A, toxin B, or both in the horse’s intestinal contents or feces.

Further Studies and Recommendations

  • The research article calls for further understanding of the pathogenesis, infection reservoirs, and improved vaccines and control methods against C. difficile in horses.
  • Additionally, the authors recommended further research on other possible factors that perhaps predispose horses to intestinal diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Diab SS, Songer G, Uzal FA. (2013). Clostridium difficile infection in horses: a review. Vet Microbiol, 167(1-2), 42-49. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2013.03.032

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 167
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 42-49

Researcher Affiliations

Diab, S S
  • California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 92408, USA.
Songer, G
    Uzal, F A

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Clostridioides difficile
      • Clostridium Infections / diagnosis
      • Clostridium Infections / drug therapy
      • Clostridium Infections / epidemiology
      • Clostridium Infections / pathology
      • Clostridium Infections / veterinary
      • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / pathology
      • Horse Diseases / transmission
      • Horses

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