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Epidemiology and infection1996; 117(2); 375-383; doi: 10.1017/s0950268800001564

Foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994 in the United Kingdom associated with Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Strongyloides westeri and Cryptosporidium spp.

Abstract: A case control study of foal diarrhoea in the United Kingdom was carried out over a 3-year period. Clostridium perfringens was significantly associated with foal diarrhoea (Odds Ratio (OR) = 3.0), being isolated from 57% of 421 animals with diarrhoea but from only 27% of 223 healthy foals. Also, C. perfringens was significantly associated with fatal diarrhoea (OR = 4.5). About half of diarrhoea with a fatal outcome was attributable to this organism. The other pathogens significantly associated with diarrhoea were rotavirus (OR = 5.6), Cryptosporidium spp. (OR = 3.2) and the nematode Strongyloides westeri, which was significant only when present in large numbers (> 2000 eggs/g of faeces: OR = 6.1). Salmonella spp. (OR = 14.2) and Cryptosporidium spp. (OR = 3.0) were the only other pathogens associated with fatal illness. Overall, C. perfringens, rotavirus, and large numbers of Cryptosporidium spp. or S. westeri were isolated from 80% of foals with diarrhoea. Thermophilic Campylobacter spp., Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli and other parasites were not associated with diarrhoea. Carriage of C. perfringens, rotavirus and Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly greater in healthy foals in contact with cases of diarrhoea than in foals that were not in contact with diarrhoea (P < 0.05). There were no statistical interactions between any of the pathogens associated with diarrhoea although separate cases from one location often involved more than one pathogen.
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Publication Date: 1996-10-01 PubMed ID: 8870636PubMed Central: PMC2271710DOI: 10.1017/s0950268800001564Google Scholar: Lookup
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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.

This is a research study investigating the common pathogens associated with diarrhoea in foals (young horses) in the UK from 1991 to 1994. The study found that Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Cryptosporidium species and the nematode Strongyloides westeri were significantly linked to diarrhoea in foals, and greatly so when the animals were in large numbers in a certain area.

Thorough Analysis of the Research Study

  • The research is a case control study on foal diarrhoea in the United Kingdom, conducted over a span of three years, from 1991 to 1994. The investigation focused on identifying pathogens associated with diarrhoea in young horses.
  • Results of the study revealed a significant association between Clostridium perfringens and foal diarrhoea. This bacterium was isolated from 57% of the 421 examined animals suffering from diarrhoea, whereas it was found in only 27% of 223 healthy foals. The Odds Ratio (OR) of 3.0 shows foals are three times as likely to get diarrhoea when they’re exposed to Clostridium perfringens.
  • Furthermore, Clostridium perfringens was also significantly linked with fatal diarrhoea, with an OR of 4.5. Approximately half of the diarrhoea cases resulting in death were attributed to this bacteria.
  • Other significant diarrhoea-causing organisms found were rotavirus (OR = 5.6), Cryptosporidium species (OR = 3.2), and the nematode Strongyloides westeri; with the latter only being significant when present in large numbers in the foals’ faeces (more than 2000 eggs/gram of faeces, OR = 6.1).
  • Salmonella species (OR = 14.2) and Cryptosporidium species (OR = 3.0) were the only other pathogens linked with fatal illness among the foals.
  • Combined, the pathogens Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Cryptosporidium species and Strongyloides westeri were found in 80% of foals with diarrhoea. Conversely, other organisms such as thermophilic Campylobacter species, Yersinia enterocolitica, Escherichia coli, and other parasites were not identified as linked to diarrhoea in the study.
  • The study also found that healthy foals had a significantly higher carriage of Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, and Cryptosporidium species when they were in contact with diarrhoea-affected cases than in foals with no diarrhoea contact.
  • The case study noted no statistical interactions between any of the pathogens linked with diarrhoea. Nonetheless, individual cases often involved more than one pathogen, particularly when the cases were from the same location.

Cite This Article

APA
Netherwood T, Wood JL, Townsend HG, Mumford JA, Chanter N. (1996). Foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994 in the United Kingdom associated with Clostridium perfringens, rotavirus, Strongyloides westeri and Cryptosporidium spp. Epidemiol Infect, 117(2), 375-383. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0950268800001564

Publication

Epidemiology and infection
ISSN: 0950-2688
NlmUniqueID: 8703737
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 117
Issue: 2
Pages: 375-383

Researcher Affiliations

Netherwood, T
  • Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, Suffolk.
Wood, J L
    Townsend, H G
      Mumford, J A
        Chanter, N

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Animals, Newborn
          • Case-Control Studies
          • Clostridium Infections / veterinary
          • Clostridium perfringens
          • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
          • Diarrhea / epidemiology
          • Diarrhea / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horses
          • Odds Ratio
          • Population Surveillance
          • Rotavirus Infections / veterinary
          • Strongyloidiasis / veterinary
          • United Kingdom / epidemiology

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