Fecal PCR testing for detection of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile toxin genes and other pathogens in foals with diarrhea: 28 cases.
Abstract: and cause significant morbidity and mortality in foals. Antemortem diagnosis of infection has been complicated by a paucity of tests available for toxin detection. Fecal PCR panels have assays for a variety of toxin gene sequences as well as for several other foal gastrointestinal pathogens. We evaluated results of a comprehensive fecal diarrhea PCR panel in 28 foals that had been presented to a referral hospital because of diarrhea. Sixteen (57%) foals were positive for and/or toxin gene sequences on fecal PCR, including 3 foals positive for NetF toxin. These foals were younger ( = 0.0029) and had higher hematocrits ( = 0.0087), hemoglobin ( = 0.0067), and red blood cell concentrations ( = 0.028) than foals with diarrhea that tested negative for clostridial toxins. The foals had lower total protein concentrations ( = 0.045) and were more likely to have band neutrophils on a CBC ( = 0.013; OR: 16.2). All 3 foals with NetF toxin gene sequences detected in feces survived to discharge, indicating that diarrhea caused by NetF toxigenic isolates is not uniformly fatal.
Publication Date: 2021-09-23 PubMed ID: 34554023PubMed Central: PMC9254072DOI: 10.1177/10406387211047529Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research focuses on the detection of the bacteria Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile, as well as other pathogens, in foals (baby horses) with diarrhea using fecal PCR testing. The findings indicate that these bacteria are common in such cases, often resulting in foals being younger and having certain blood abnormalities.
Fecal PCR Testing in Diarrheal Foals
- The study made use of a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) panel test to analyze feces from a group of foals who had been admitted to a veterinary referral hospital with instances of diarrhea.
- PCR tests are molecular biology methods that amplify specific DNA sequences, making them ideal for detecting pathogenic bacteria, such as Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile, and their toxin gene sequences.
Prevalence of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile
- Of the 28 tested foals, 16 were found to carry either Clostridium perfringens or Clostridioides difficile, or both. This represents a 57% incidence rate and underscores the significant threat these bacteria can pose to young foals.
- In particular, three of the tested foals were found to carry the NetF toxin, a potent toxin produced by certain strains of Clostridium perfringens.
- This toxin is considered a key player in the development of necrotizing enteritis, a severe gastrointestinal disease that can be fatal in foals.
Health Indicators and Outcomes
- Foals positive for the toxin gene sequences from these bacteria were noted to be statistically younger and presented certain blood abnormalities. These included higher hematocrits (the ratio of the volume of red cells to the total volume of blood), hemoglobin (the molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen), and red blood cell concentrations.
- In contrast, these foals had lower total protein concentrations and were more likely to have band neutrophils (immature white blood cells) in their blood tests – an indicator for infection or inflammation.
- Interestingly, all of the three foals positive for the NetF toxin survived and could be discharged from the hospital. This observation contradicts the often-stated belief that infection with NetF toxin-producing Clostridium perfringens is universally fatal in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Magdesian KG, Barnum S, Pusterla N.
(2021).
Fecal PCR testing for detection of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile toxin genes and other pathogens in foals with diarrhea: 28 cases.
J Vet Diagn Invest, 34(3), 396-401.
https://doi.org/10.1177/10406387211047529 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Lucy Whittier Molecular and Diagnostic Core Facility, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Clostridioides difficile
- Clostridium Infections / diagnosis
- Clostridium Infections / veterinary
- Clostridium perfringens / genetics
- Diarrhea / diagnosis
- Diarrhea / veterinary
- Feces
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses / genetics
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the
research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
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