Fermentative activities of some members of the normal coccal flora of the horse’s large intestine.

The article discusses research into the fermentative processes and bacteria in the horse’s large intestine, with findings potentially contributing to a better understanding of horse’s digestion diseases and the bacteria involved.

Background and Purpose

• The study was motivated by the high rate of digestive diseases in horses and the lack of fundamental knowledge regarding horse digestion.
• The researchers aimed to investigate the fermentative processes within the horse’s large bowel and identify active bacteria involved.
• This process involved preparing fistulae in different segments of the horse’s bowel, enabling direct observation.
• The focus was particularly on cocci bacteria, given existing knowledge on their role in the microflora of other digestive sites, such as the rumen of sheep and cattle.
• The researchers also wanted to understand the behaviour of Streptococcus equinus, a characteristic bacterium found in horse feces, known for fermenting fewer sugars when compared to other fecal streptococci.

Methods

• The researchers used standard enrichment procedures to isolate several facultative anaerobic streptococcal strains with a wide fermentative capacity from colon sites in fistulated horses.
• They also isolated a Gram-negative coccus, noted for its vigorous activity in fermenting lactate, a standard fermentation product of fecal streptococci.

Findings and Conclusions

• The paper details the fermentative behaviour of these bacteria and explores their identification.
• The findings may help to shed light on the digestion processes in horses and the bacteria involved, potentially contributing to a better understanding and treatment of horse’s digestive diseases.