Concentrations of faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci and Campylobacter spp. in equine faeces.
Abstract: To determine the concentration of Campylobacter spp. as well as faecal indicator bacteria; faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci in the faeces of healthy adult horses in a sample of properties in the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Methods: The faeces of healthy adult horses (n=59), including ponies, pleasure horses and Thoroughbreds, were collected from eight properties around Christchurch, New Zealand. The faeces were analysed for concentrations of Campylobacter spp and faecal indicator bacteria; faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli and enterococci. The presence of other animals on the properties sampled as well as the age, feed and health of the horses at the time of sampling was recorded. Results: Enterococci and faecal coliforms were isolated from all samples, and E. coli was isolated from 58/59 samples. Mean concentrations of faecal coliforms and E. coli did not differ between properties, but there was a significant difference in mean concentration of enterococci between properties. Campylobacter spp. were detected in two faecal samples with one isolate being determined by PCR analysis to be a thermotolerant Campylobacter species, the other C. jejuni. Conclusions: This is the first known report quantifying the concentration of Campylobacter spp. present in healthy adult horses in New Zealand. The presence of equine faecal material in water could elevate concentrations of faecal bacteria and therefore needs to be considered as a source of water contamination. The access of horses to waterways and coastal environments may also need to be restricted to prevent transmission of faecal indicator bacteria and potentially zoonotic agents.
Publication Date: 2015-02-02 PubMed ID: 25415756DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2014.952789Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article studies the concentration of various bacteria, including faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci, and Campylobacter spp., present in the faeces of healthy horses located in the Canterbury region of New Zealand.
Methodology
- As part of this study, faeces from healthy adult horses (n=59) were collected, ensuring the animals represented a mix of various types, such as ponies, pleasure horses, and Thoroughbreds. These samples were collected from eight separate properties around Christchurch, New Zealand.
- The harvested faecal samples were then analysed for the presence and concentrations of Campylobacter spp., faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and enterococci, which are collectively termed as faecal indicator bacteria.
- Additional information such as the presence of other animals on the properties, the age, feed and health condition of the horses, was also recorded at the time of sample collection.
Results
- Enterococci and faecal coliforms were isolated from all of the collected samples, while E. coli was identified in 58 out of the 59 samples.
- The average concentrations of faecal coliforms and E. coli were found to be consistent across all properties.
- However, a meaningful difference was found in the mean concentration of enterococci between the different properties.
- The presence of Campylobacter spp. was detected in two faecal samples, and one isolate was confirmed to be a thermotolerant species of Campylobacter through PCR analysis, while the other was identified as C. jejuni.
Conclusions
- This study provides the first known quantification of the concentration of Campylobacter spp. present in the faeces of healthy adult horses in New Zealand.
- Equine faecal material could potentially increase the concentration of faecal bacteria in water and therefore, should be taken into account as a potential source of water contamination.
- Measures might need to be implemented to limit the access of horses to waterways and coastal environments to safeguard against the spread of faecal indicator bacteria and potential zoonotic agents.
Cite This Article
APA
Moriarty EM, Downing M, Bellamy J, Gilpin BJ.
(2015).
Concentrations of faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, enterococci and Campylobacter spp. in equine faeces.
N Z Vet J, 63(2), 104-109.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00480169.2014.952789 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Institute of Environmental Science and Research , PO Box 29-181, Christchurch , New Zealand.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Campylobacter / isolation & purification
- Enterobacteriaceae / isolation & purification
- Enterococcus / classification
- Enterococcus / isolation & purification
- Escherichia coli / isolation & purification
- Feces / microbiology
- Horses / microbiology
- New Zealand
Citations
This article has been cited 9 times.- Macías-Rioseco M, Ochoa J, Choi EA, Blanchard P, Moeller RB Jr, Uzal FA. Campylobacter jejuni hepatitis in a horse: case report and literature review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2025 May;37(3):463-466.
- Gonzalez-Fandos E, da Silva Guedes J. Microbiological Quality and Antibiotic Resistance of Relevant Bacteria from Horsemeat. Microorganisms 2024 Aug 28;12(9).
- Tyrnenopoulou P, Tsilipounidaki K, Florou Z, Gkountinoudis CG, Tyropoli K, Starras A, Peleki C, Marneris D, Arseniou N, Lianou DT, Katsarou EI, Petinaki E, Fthenakis GC. Detection of Gastrointestinal Pathogens with Zoonotic Potential in Horses Used in Free-Riding Activities during a Countrywide Study in Greece. Animals (Basel) 2024 Sep 3;14(17).
- Kabir A, Lamichhane B, Habib T, Adams A, El-Sheikh Ali H, Slovis NM, Troedsson MHT, Helmy YA. Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024 Jul 29;13(8).
- Rytkönen A, Meriläinen P, Valkama K, Hokajärvi AM, Ruponen J, Nummela J, Mattila H, Tulonen T, Kivistö R, Pitkänen T. Scenario-based assessment of fecal pathogen sources affecting bathing water quality: novel treatment options to reduce norovirus and Campylobacter infection risks. Front Microbiol 2024;15:1353798.
- Paruch L, Paruch AM. Molecular Identification of Infectious Enteropathogens in Faeces of Healthy Horses. Microbiol Insights 2022;15:11786361221089005.
- Lindenberg FC, Lützhøft DO, Krych L, Fielden J, Kot W, Frøkiær H, van Galen G, Nielsen DS, Hansen AK. An Oligosaccharide Rich Diet Increases Akkermansia spp. Bacteria in the Equine Microbiota. Front Microbiol 2021;12:666039.
- Espunyes J, Cabezón O, Dias-Alves A, Miralles P, Ayats T, Cerdà-Cuéllar M. Assessing the role of livestock and sympatric wild ruminants in spreading antimicrobial resistant Campylobacter and Salmonella in alpine ecosystems. BMC Vet Res 2021 Feb 15;17(1):79.
- Conrad CC, Stanford K, Narvaez-Bravo C, Neumann NF, Munns K, Tymensen L, Jokinen C, McAllister TA. Zoonotic Fecal Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance in Canadian Petting Zoos. Microorganisms 2018 Jul 16;6(3).
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