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Equine veterinary journal2019; 52(3); 455-463; doi: 10.1111/evj.13168

Culture-independent and dependent evaluation of the equine paranasal sinus microbiota in health and disease.

Abstract: Horses with bacterial sinusitis frequently undergo empirical treatment with antimicrobials, however, in some cases bacterial culture of the affected sinus is used to direct therapy. Data regarding which organisms are part of the commensal microbiota of the equine sinus are lacking making it difficult to interpret culture results and guide empiric antimicrobial selection. Objective: Our objectives were to describe the bacterial and fungal microbiota of the paranasal sinuses in clinically normal horses using culture-dependent and independent approaches and to compare the bacterial culture and susceptibility patterns of normal horses with those from horses affected with primary and secondary sinusitis. Methods: Experimental study and descriptive retrospective review of case records. Methods: Sinus washes were collected from 23 healthy horses. Washes were submitted for routine culture and susceptibility testing and DNA was isolated for next generation sequencing of bacterial and fungal marker genes. For clinical cases of sinusitis, medical records from 2010 to 2017 were reviewed and horses diagnosed with primary and/or secondary sinusitis were included. Results: The paranasal sinus cavity hosts multiple bacterial and fungal organisms. The bacterial microbiota of healthy horses consists largely of uncultivable, aerobic bacteria. While few anaerobes were isolated from normal horses, the majority of clinical cases resulted in growth of anaerobic organisms with no difference in the proportion of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria isolated from clinical cases. Conclusions: Small sample size in both populations of horses and heterogeneity of the population prevent a more in-depth analysis. Conclusions: The microbiota of the paranasal sinuses of horses consists primarily of aerobic bacteria and fungal organisms, the majority of which are uncultivable via common clinical methods. Anaerobic bacteria are found in the majority of horses with clinical sinusitis. These findings suggest anaerobic bacteria are associated with sinusitis and their presence should be considered when treating horses with sinusitis.
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Publication Date: 2019-10-10 PubMed ID: 31437314DOI: 10.1111/evj.13168Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research investigates the different types of bacteria and fungi present in the paranasal sinuses of horses, and how these differ between healthy horses and those with sinusitis. The study aims to aid in distinguishing between normal and disease-causing organisms, improving the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment for sinusitis in horses.

Objective of the Research

  • The research aimed to classify the microbial population in the sinus cavities of healthy horses, and compare this with the organisms present in horses suffering from primary and secondary sinusitis.
  • The researchers intended to guide the appropriate selection and use of antibiotics between aerobic and anaerobic bacteria associated with sinusitis.

Methodology

  • In the experimental part of the study, sinus washes were collected from 23 healthy horses for microbial analysis.
  • These washes were tested for culture and susceptibility, and DNA was extracted for sequencing of bacterial and fungal markers.
  • The researchers also performed a retrospective review of medical records from 2010 to 2017, focusing on horses diagnosed with primary and/or secondary sinusitis.

Results

  • The study found that the paranasal sinus cavity in horses hosts a variety of bacterial and fungal organisms.
  • In healthy horses, the dominating bacterial population was aerobic, many of which could not be cultured using common clinical methods.
  • Few anaerobes were identified in healthy horses, but a significant presence of anaerobic bacteria was found in horses affected by sinusitis.

Conclusions

  • Limited sample size and population diversity restricted a deeper analysis of the findings.
  • The researchers concluded that anaerobic bacteria are likely associated with sinusitis in horses due to their significant presence in sinusitis-affected cases.
  • Suggestions were made to consider the presence of anaerobic bacteria when treating horses with sinusitis.

Cite This Article

APA
Beste KJ, Lawhon SD, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Duff AH, Coleman MC, Griffin CE, Hardy J, Whitfield-Cargile CM. (2019). Culture-independent and dependent evaluation of the equine paranasal sinus microbiota in health and disease. Equine Vet J, 52(3), 455-463. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13168

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 52
Issue: 3
Pages: 455-463

Researcher Affiliations

Beste, K J
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Lawhon, S D
  • Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Chamoun-Emanuelli, A M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Duff, A H
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Coleman, M C
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Griffin, C E
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Hardy, J
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.
Whitfield-Cargile, C M
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / microbiology
  • Horses
  • Microbiota
  • Paranasal Sinuses
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sinusitis / veterinary

Grant Funding

  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
  • Texas A&M University

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Rodríguez N, Whitfield-Cargile CM, Chamoun-Emanuelli AM, Hildreth E, Jordan W, Coleman MC. Nasopharyngeal bacterial and fungal microbiota in normal horses and horses with nasopharyngeal cicatrix syndrome. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Nov;35(6):2897-2911.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16307pubmed: 34783081google scholar: lookup
  2. Mach N, Baranowski E, Nouvel LX, Citti C. The Airway Pathobiome in Complex Respiratory Diseases: A Perspective in Domestic Animals. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021;11:583600.
    doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.583600pubmed: 34055660google scholar: lookup
  3. Hardefeldt L, Thomas K, Page S, Norris J, Browning G, El Hage C, Stewart A, Gilkerson J, Muscatello G, Verwilghen D, van Galen G, Bauquier J, Cuming R, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Wilkes E, Clulow J, Burden C, Begg L. Antimicrobial prescribing guidelines for horses in Australia. Aust Vet J 2025 Dec;103(12):781-889.
    doi: 10.1111/avj.70003pubmed: 40903020google scholar: lookup
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