Colloidal Iron Oxide Formulation for Equine Hoof Disinfection.
Abstract: The presence of bacteria of various origins on horse hoofs enables the onset of infections following trauma or even post-surgical wounds. Thus, the analysis of new antibacterial substances is of fundamental importance. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of Iron Animals (IA), a stable colloidal suspension of iron oxide, organic acids, and detergents, was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays were performed to test the unspecific inhibitory effect of IA on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria monitoring the microorganism growth by spectrophotometry (optical density OD600) at 37 °C for 24 h. In vivo test consists on the quantification of the bacterial load in colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of specimens collected from the frog region of the anterior hooves of 11 horses. Sampling followed the application of four disinfectant protocols consisting of two consecutive 3 min scrubs with 50 mL of 10% Povidone-iodine (PI) or 4% Chlorhexidine (CHx), with or without an additional application for 15 min of 10 mL of Iron Animals (PI+IA and CHx+IA). , IA completely suppressed the bacterial growth of all the tested microorganisms, resulting in effectiveness also against CHx-resistant bacteria, such as . In vivo, PI emerged as an ineffective protocol; CHx was effective in 18% of cases, but with the addition of IA (CHx + IA) its use emerged as the best disinfectant protocol for horse hoof, achieving the lowest bacterial load in 55% of cases. The addition of IA, after PI or CHx, improves the effectiveness of both disinfectants leading to the highest bactericidal activity in 82% of cases.
Publication Date: 2021-03-10 PubMed ID: 33801981PubMed Central: PMC8000413DOI: 10.3390/ani11030766Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
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 evaluates the disinfection effectiveness of ‘Iron Animals’ (IA), a formula containing iron-oxide, organic acids, and detergents, in reducing bacterial presence on horse hooves. The study indicates that IA, coupled with common disinfectants, significantly suppresses bacterial growth both in lab conditions and in real-life applications.
Research Methodology
The study was divided into two major procedures:
- In vitro testing: The laboratory testing involved evaluating the inhibitory effect of the IA formula on various species of bacteria – both gram-positive and gram-negative. The bacterial growth was monitored for 24 hours under spectrophotometric observation.
- In vivo testing: Real-life tests were conducted on the anterior hooves of 11 horses. Samples were collected from the frog region of the hooves after applying four different disinfection protocols. These protocols included disinfection with Povidone-iodine (PI) or Chlorhexidine (CHx), each on its own and each in combination with an additional application of IA.
Findings
The research findings included the following results:
- During in vitro testing, it was found that IA suppressed bacterial growth completely across all tested microorganisms. This includes bacteria that have shown resistance to CHx in the past.
- When applied solo, PI was found to be ineffective during in vivo testing. While CHx was found to be effective in a meagre 18% of cases.
- However, when CHx was used in combination with IA (CHx + IA), it emerged as the best performing disinfectant, effectively reducing bacterial load in 55% of cases.
- Applying IA after PI or CHx resulted in even higher bactericidal activity, proving effective in 82% of cases.
Implication and Conclusion
This research suggests that the Iron Animals formula can be a valuable addition to equine hoof disinfection processes. When used alongside conventional disinfectants such as PI or CHx, it significantly boosts bactericidal activity. This could be crucial in minimizing hoof infections in horses. However, further testing and research may be needed to formalize IA’s role in hoof care.
Cite This Article
APA
Isola M, Piccinotti C, Magro M, Fasolato L, Vianello F, Menandro ML, Memarian P, Rossi M, Falomo ME.
(2021).
Colloidal Iron Oxide Formulation for Equine Hoof Disinfection.
Animals (Basel), 11(3), 766.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11030766 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
- Department of Animal Medicine, Productions and Health, University of Padova, Viale dell'Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Italy.
Grant Funding
- Ex60% / University of Padova - Ministry for Universities and Scientific and Technological Research (MURST, Italy)
- DOR1989373 / University of Padova
Conflict of Interest Statement
Prof. Vianello and Dr. Magro are co-founders of AINT s.r.l., spin-off of the University of Padova, which produces Iron Animals.
References
This article includes 27 references
- Eze C.A., Ogbanya K.C., Eze D.C., Okonkwo N.. Incidence of hoof lameness and associated staphylococcal wound contaminants among horses ar Obollo-Afor Market in Enugu State, Nigeria.. Anim. Res. Int. 2014;11:1982–1986.
- Hennig GE, Kraus BH, Fister R, King VL, Steckel RR, Kirker-Head CA. Comparison of two methods for presurgical disinfection of the equine hoof.. Vet Surg 2001 Jul-Aug;30(4):366-73.
- Johnson J, Messier S, Meulyzer M, Vinardell T, Marcoux M, David F. Effect of Presurgical Iodine-Based Disinfection on Bacterial Colonization of the Equine Peripodal Region.. Vet Surg 2015 Aug;44(6):756-62.
- Wilson D.G., Hartmann F., Carter V.R., Klohnen A., MacWilliams P.S.. Comparison of three preoperative skin preparation techniques in ponies.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2011;23:462–465.
- Javdani M., Dehghani S., Ghashghaii A., Nikousefat Z.. Evaluation of a routine antiseptic and two disinfectants for reducing bacterial population of cow hoof.. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci. 2011;1:136–140.
- Céleste CJ, Szöke MO. Management of equine hoof injuries.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2005 Apr;21(1):167-90, viii.
- Santschi EM. Prevention of postoperative infections in horses.. Vet Clin North Am Equine Pract 2006 Aug;22(2):323-34, viii.
- Desrochers A, St-Jean G, Anderson DE, Rogers DP, Chengappa MM. Comparative evaluation of two surgical scrub preparations in cattle.. Vet Surg 1996 Jul-Aug;25(4):336-41.
- Burba DJ. Traumatic foot injuries in horses: surgical management.. Compend Contin Educ Vet 2013 Jan;35(1):E5.
- Lane J.. Preventing surgical site infections: Equine surgical site preparation.. Vet. Nurse. 2016;7:151–155.
- Hajipour MJ, Fromm KM, Ashkarran AA, Jimenez de Aberasturi D, de Larramendi IR, Rojo T, Serpooshan V, Parak WJ, Mahmoudi M. Antibacterial properties of nanoparticles.. Trends Biotechnol 2012 Oct;30(10):499-511.
- Pelgrift RY, Friedman AJ. Nanotechnology as a therapeutic tool to combat microbial resistance.. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2013 Nov;65(13-14):1803-15.
- Basso CR, Crulhas BP, Magro M, Vianello F, Pedrosa VA. A new immunoassay of hybrid nanomater conjugated to aptamers for the detection of dengue virus.. Talanta 2019 May 15;197:482-490.
- Venerando R., Miotto G., Magro M., Dallan M., Baratella D., Bonaiuto E., Zboril R., Vianello F.. Magnetic Nanoparticles with Covalently Bound Self-Assembled Protein Corona for Advanced Biomedical Applications.. J. Phys. Chem. C. 2013;117:20320–20331.
- Venerando A, Magro M, Baratella D, Ugolotti J, Zanin S, Malina O, Zboril R, Lin H, Vianello F. Biotechnological applications of nanostructured hybrids of polyamine carbon quantum dots and iron oxide nanoparticles.. Amino Acids 2020 Feb;52(2):301-311.
- Magro M, Campos R, Baratella D, Lima G, Holà K, Divoky C, Stollberger R, Malina O, Aparicio C, Zoppellaro G, Zbořil R, Vianello F. A magnetically drivable nanovehicle for curcumin with antioxidant capacity and MRI relaxation properties.. Chemistry 2014 Sep 8;20(37):11913-20.
- Magro M, Martinello T, Bonaiuto E, Gomiero C, Baratella D, Zoppellaro G, Cozza G, Patruno M, Zboril R, Vianello F. Covalently bound DNA on naked iron oxide nanoparticles: Intelligent colloidal nano-vector for cell transfection.. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2017 Nov;1861(11 Pt A):2802-2810.
- Magro M, Baratella D, Bonaiuto E, de Almeida Roger J, Chemello G, Pasquaroli S, Mancini L, Olivotto I, Zoppellaro G, Ugolotti J, Aparicio C, Fifi AP, Cozza G, Miotto G, Radaelli G, Bertotto D, Zboril R, Vianello F. Stealth Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Organotropic Drug Targeting.. Biomacromolecules 2019 Mar 11;20(3):1375-1384.
- Magro M., Vianello F., Braga M.. Aqueous Formulation Comprising Sds, Tca and Colloidal Suspension of Iron (III) for Use in the Topical Treatment of Micro-Organisms and Parasites.. PCT/IB2016/054295. Patent. 2016 Jul 19.
- Mai T., Hilt J.Z.. Magnetic nanoparticles: Reactive oxygen species generation and potential therapeutic applications.. J. Nanopart. Res. 2017;19:253.
- Jørgensen E, Bay L, Skovgaard LT, Bjarnsholt T, Jacobsen S. An Equine Wound Model to Study Effects of Bacterial Aggregates on Wound Healing.. Adv Wound Care (New Rochelle) 2019 Oct 1;8(10):487-498.
- Janicek JC, Dabareiner RM, Honnas CM, Crabill MA. Heel bulb lacerations in horses: 101 cases (1988-1994).. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2005 Feb 1;226(3):418-23.
- Verwilghen D, Grulke S, Kampf G. Presurgical hand antisepsis: concepts and current habits of veterinary surgeons.. Vet Surg 2011 Jul;40(5):515-21.
- Pouran S.R., Raman A.A., Daud W.M.A.. Review on the application of modified iron oxides as heterogeneous catalysts in Fenton reactions.. J. Clean. Prod. 2014;64:24–35.
- SHAFA F, SALTON MR. Disaggregation of bacterial cell walls by anionic detergents.. J Gen Microbiol 1960 Aug;23:137-41.
- da Silveira EA, Bubeck KA, Batista ER, Piat P, Laverty S, Beauchamp G, Archambault M, Elce Y. Comparison of an alcohol-based hand rub and water-based chlorhexidine gluconate scrub technique for hand antisepsis prior to elective surgery in horses.. Can Vet J 2016 Feb;57(2):164-8.
- Verwilghen D.. The World Health Organization’s clean hands save lives: A concept applicable to equine medicine as Clean Hands Save Horses.. Equine Vet. Educ. 2018;30:549–557.
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Aragona F, Tabbì M, Gugliandolo E, Giannetto C, D'Angelo F, Fazio F, Interlandi C. Role of cannabidiolic acid or the combination of cannabigerol/cannabidiol in pain modulation and welfare improvement in horses with chronic osteoarthritis. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1496473.
- Interlandi C, Tabbì M, Di Pietro S, D'Angelo F, Costa GL, Arfuso F, Giudice E, Licata P, Macrì D, Crupi R, Gugliandolo E. Improved quality of life and pain relief in mature horses with osteoarthritis after oral transmucosal cannabidiol oil administration as part of an analgesic regimen. Front Vet Sci 2024;11:1341396.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
