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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Factors associated with the risk of positive blood culture i...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2020; 34(6); 2738-2750; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15923

Factors associated with the risk of positive blood culture in neonatal foals presented to a referral center (2000-2014).

Abstract: Bloodstream infections (BSI) are common in sick foals and increase foal morbidity and mortality when they occur. Recognition of risk factors for BSI could be an important means to limit their occurrence, but studies on this topic are limited. Objective: Historical as well as maternal and foal physical examination findings will predict risk of BSI in neonatal foals. Methods: Foals <14 days of age admitted to a referral equine hospital for care. Methods: Retrospective case-control study with univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Four hundred twenty-nine (143 cases and 286 controls) foals <14 days of age were studied. Risk of a foal having a BSI was increased in foals with umbilical disease (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 11.01; P = .02), hypoglycemia (adjusted OR, 13.51; P = .03), and the combined presence of umbilical disease and low hematocrit (adjusted OR, >999.99; P = .04). Factors not found to be risk factors for development of BSI included prematurity, hypothermia, abdominal disease, diarrhea, failure of passive transfer, and maternal uterine infection. Conclusions: Several historical and physical examination findings increase the risk of foals being blood culture positive at presentation to the hospital. This knowledge may aid early identification of blood culture status, thus aiding in treatment decisions.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2020-10-12 PubMed ID: 33044020PubMed Central: PMC7694804DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15923Google 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 article focuses on determining the risk factors that increase the likelihood of bloodstream infections in neonatal foals. The study found that factors like umbilical disease, hypo-glycemia, and low hematocrit significantly increase the risk of such infections. Conversely, hypothermia, prematurity, abdominal disease, diarrhea, and maternal uterine infection were not found to cause an increase.

Research Objective and Methods

  • The primary objective of this research was to predict risk factors associated with bloodstream infections (BSI) in newborn horses. Knowing these risks could help in the early diagnosis and management of BSI, which increases the mortality and morbidity rate in foals.
  • The researchers conducted a retrospective case-control study using univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis. These methods were utilized to assess and establish the relationship between different factors and the incidence of bloodstream infections.
  • The subjects of the study were foals less than 14 days old admitted to a referral equine hospital. A total of 429 foals were examined, divided into 143 cases (foals with BSI) and 286 controls (foals without BSI).

Research Findings

  • The study revealed that foals with umbilical disease, suffering from hypoglycemia, or having low hematocrit are at an increased risk of developing BSI. The odds ratios associated with these conditions were found to be 11.01, 13.51, and greater than 999.99 respectively, and each has a significant p-value (less than 0.05).
  • Other factors like prematurity, hypothermia, abdominal disease, diarrhea, failure of passive transfer, and maternal uterine infection did not increase the risk of BSI. This suggests that these factors are not direct correlates of bloodstream infection in neonatal foals.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The research concluded that certain historical and physical examination parameters could indicate a higher risk of foals testing positive for BSI upon their admission to the hospital. Understanding these factors may aid in earlier detection and decision-making regarding treatment approaches.
  • The knowledge gleaned from this study could be of great use to veterinarians and other medical personnel in the equine industry. It provides important insights into disease management and prevention strategies for the care of new-born foals.

Cite This Article

APA
Furr M, McKenzie H. (2020). Factors associated with the risk of positive blood culture in neonatal foals presented to a referral center (2000-2014). J Vet Intern Med, 34(6), 2738-2750. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15923

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 34
Issue: 6
Pages: 2738-2750

Researcher Affiliations

Furr, Martin
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA.
McKenzie, Harold
  • Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Blood Culture / veterinary
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Retrospective Studies

Conflict of Interest Statement

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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