FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Sci / Incidence of Bacterial Colonization of Intravenous Non-Perma...
Veterinary sciences2025; 12(9); 788; doi: 10.3390/vetsci12090788

Incidence of Bacterial Colonization of Intravenous Non-Permanent Venous Catheters in Hospitalized Equine Patients.

Abstract: Bacterial contamination of intravenous catheters in hospitalized horses may pose risks for both patient care and public health due to potential antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic transmission. This prospective clinical study aimed to evaluate the incidence of catheter contamination in equine patients admitted to a Veterinary Teaching Hospital between 2020 and 2021. All horses requiring intravenous catheterization were included, and data were collected on patient signalment, clinical status, duration of catheterization, treatments, and outcomes. Two catheter types were used: 5 cm polytetrafluoroethylene and 11 cm polyurethane, both 14-gauge. Catheters were aseptically removed, and the distal ends were cultured on Blood Agar and Brain Heart Infusion broth. Bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques, and contamination was defined as any detectable bacterial growth. Of the 58 catheters collected from 52 patients, 38 (65.5%) showed bacterial growth, predominantly spp. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified antibiotic treatment as significantly associated with positive bacteriological culture. These findings indicate a higher contamination rate than previously reported in horses. While colonization may not always result in clinical infection, the observed frequency of contamination underscores the need for careful catheter management and further investigation into its implications for antimicrobial stewardship.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2025-08-22 PubMed ID: 41012714PubMed Central: PMC12474212DOI: 10.3390/vetsci12090788Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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.

Incidence of bacterial contamination of intravenous catheters in hospitalized horses was studied, finding a high rate of bacterial colonization associated with antibiotic use, which highlights the need for careful catheter care and attention to antimicrobial resistance.

Study Background and Purpose

  • Bacterial contamination of intravenous (IV) catheters is a known risk in hospitalized patients, including horses, potentially leading to infections and complications.
  • Contamination also raises public health concerns related to antimicrobial resistance and zoonotic transmission, where infections could spread between animals and humans.
  • The study was designed as a prospective clinical investigation to determine how often IV catheters in hospitalized horses become colonized by bacteria.
  • The goal was to better understand contamination rates and associated factors in order to improve patient care and antimicrobial management.

Study Design and Methods

  • Location and Duration: Conducted at a Veterinary Teaching Hospital from 2020 to 2021.
  • Participants: Included all equine patients requiring intravenous catheterization during the study period.
  • Data Collected: Patient details including signalment (age, breed, sex), clinical condition, catheterization duration, treatments (notably antibiotic use), and clinical outcomes.
  • Catheter Types: Used two types of non-permanent IV catheters:
    • 5 cm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)
    • 11 cm polyurethane
    • Both were 14-gauge in size.
  • Sampling Procedure:
    • Catheters were aseptically removed from horses once no longer needed or after a predetermined duration.
    • The distal (tip) ends of the catheters were cultured to detect bacterial growth.
  • Microbiological Analysis:
    • Samples were cultured on Blood Agar plates and in Brain Heart Infusion broth, which support bacterial growth.
    • Bacterial isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques to determine species.
    • Any detectable bacterial growth was considered contamination (colonization).

Results

  • Total Samples: 58 catheters collected from 52 different horses.
  • Contamination Rate: 38 catheters (65.5%) showed bacterial colonization.
  • Predominant Bacteria: Although the abstract does not specify exact bacterial species, it notes Staphylococcus spp. predominated, a common skin and environmental bacteria often implicated in catheter-related infections.
  • Statistical Findings:
    • Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with positive cultures.
    • Identified antibiotic treatment as a significant factor linked to higher contamination rates.
  • Comparison to Literature: The contamination rate found was higher than what had been previously reported in horses, indicating a potentially underestimated problem.

Interpretation and Implications

  • Clinical Impact:
    • Although colonization does not always lead to overt infection, bacterial presence on catheters can be a source of bloodstream infections or local complications.
    • High contamination rates suggest vigilant catheter management is essential to minimize infection risks.
  • Antibiotic Association:
    • Antibiotic treatment may disrupt normal microbial flora or select for resistant organisms, which could explain the association with catheter colonization.
    • This emphasizes the importance of antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings to prevent increased resistance.
  • Recommendations for Practice:
    • Strict aseptic insertion and maintenance protocols for IV catheters should be adhered to.
    • Frequent monitoring and timely removal of catheters when no longer clinically indicated.
    • Further research is needed to explore how colonization affects infection rates and to develop strategies minimizing contamination.
  • Public Health Considerations:
    • The possibility of zoonotic transmission of resistant bacteria from horses to humans warrants attention, especially in veterinary hospitals.

Conclusion

  • This study revealed a notably high incidence of bacterial colonization on non-permanent intravenous catheters in hospitalized horses.
  • Antibiotic treatment was a significant risk factor for contamination.
  • The findings underline the critical need for enhanced catheter care protocols and antimicrobial stewardship to protect equine patients and reduce public health risks.

Cite This Article

APA
Vitale V, Bindi F, Bertelloni F, Sala G, Cingottini D, Bonelli F, Sgorbini M. (2025). Incidence of Bacterial Colonization of Intravenous Non-Permanent Venous Catheters in Hospitalized Equine Patients. Vet Sci, 12(9), 788. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090788

Publication

Veterinary sciences
ISSN: 2306-7381
NlmUniqueID: 101680127
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 12
Issue: 9
PII: 788

Researcher Affiliations

Vitale, Valentina
  • Departamento de Medicina y Cirugía Animal, Universidad CEU-Cardenal Herrera, CEU Universities, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain.
Bindi, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Bertelloni, Fabrizio
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Sala, Giulia
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Cingottini, Dania
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Bonelli, Francesca
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Sgorbini, Micaela
  • Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

This article includes 24 references
  1. Geraghty T.E., Love S., Taylor D.J., Heller J., Mellor D.J., Hughes K.J.. Assessment of Subclinical Venous Catheter-related Diseases in Horses and Associated Risk Factors. Vet. Rec. 2009;164:227–231.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.164.8.227pubmed: 19234323google scholar: lookup
  2. Müller C.D.V.S., Lübke-Becker A., Doherr M.G., Gehlen H.. Influence of Different Types of Catheters on the Development of Diseases of the Jugular Vein in 45 Horses. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 2016;46:89–97.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.06.074google scholar: lookup
  3. Dolente B.A., Beech J., Lindborg S., Smith G.. Evaluation of Risk Factors for Development of Catheter-Associated Jugular Thrombophlebitis in Horses: 50 Cases (1993–1998). J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. 2005;227:1134–1141.
    doi: 10.2460/javma.2005.227.1134pubmed: 16220676google scholar: lookup
  4. Dias D.P.M., de Lacerda Neto J.C.. Jugular Thrombophlebitis in Horses: A Review of Fibrinolysis, Thrombus Formation, and Clinical Management. Can. Vet. J. 2013;54:65–71.
    pmc: PMC3524817pubmed: 23814304
  5. Müller C., Gehlen H.. Katheterassoziierte Venenerkrankungen Beim Pferd–Diagnose Und Therapie in Der Praxis. Tierärztliche Prax. Ausg. G Großtiere Nutztiere 2016;44:187–194.
    doi: 10.15653/TPG-140417pubmed: 27224936google scholar: lookup
  6. Rai A., Khera A., Jain M., Krishnakumar M., Sreevastava D.K.. Bacterial Colonization of Peripheral Intravenous Cannulas in a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross Sectional Observational Study. Med. J. Armed Forces India 2019;75:65–69.
    doi: 10.1016/j.mjafi.2018.04.004pmc: PMC6349642pubmed: 30705480google scholar: lookup
  7. Singhai M., Malik A., Mohd S., Malik A., Rawat V.. Colonization of Peripheral Intravascular Catheters with Biofilm Producing Microbes: Evaluation of Risk Factors. Niger. Med. J. 2012;53:37.
    doi: 10.4103/0300-1652.99830pmc: PMC3530242pubmed: 23271843google scholar: lookup
  8. Gahlot R., Nigam C., Kumar V., Yadav G., Anupurba S., Gahlot R., Nigam C., Kumar V., Yadav G., Anupurba S.. Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections. Int. J. Crit. Illn. Inj. Sci. 2014;4:162.
    doi: 10.4103/2229-5151.134184pmc: PMC4093967pubmed: 25024944google scholar: lookup
  9. Chanchaithong P., Ritthikulprasert S.. Prevalence of Bacteremia in Dogs Admitted to an Intensive Care Unit with Intravenous Catheterization. Thai J. Vet. Med. 2018;48:123–128.
    doi: 10.56808/2985-1130.2881google scholar: lookup
  10. Pitiriga V., Kanellopoulos P., Bakalis I., Kampos E., Sagris I., Saroglou G., Tsakris A.. Central Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection and Colonization: The Impact of Insertion Site and Distribution of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens. Antimicrob. Resist. Infect. Control. 2020;9:189.
    doi: 10.1186/s13756-020-00851-1pmc: PMC7708904pubmed: 33261661google scholar: lookup
  11. Matula E., Mastrocco A., Prittie J., Weltman J., Keyserling C.. Microorganism Colonization of Peripheral Venous Catheters in a Small Animal Clinical Setting. J. Vet. Emerg. Crit. Care. 2023;33:509–519.
    doi: 10.1111/vec.13328pubmed: 37585353google scholar: lookup
  12. Crisi P.E., De Santis F., Aste G., Tiscar P.G., Mosca F., Gasparini A., Felici A., Ferroni L., Miglio A., Di Tommaso M.. Inflammatory, Mechanical and Infectious Complications Associated with Peripheral Intravenous Catheters in Dogs and Cats: A Risk Factor Analysis. Vet. Sci. 2022;9:118.
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9030118pmc: PMC8954030pubmed: 35324846google scholar: lookup
  13. Barr B., Brooks D., Javsicas L., Zimmel D.. Nursing Care. In: Reeder D., Miller S., Wilfong D., Leitch M., Zimmel D., editors. AAEVT’s Equine Manual for Veterinary Technicians. Wiley-Blackwell; Hoboken, NJ, USA: 2009. pp. 265–299.
  14. Bentz B.G.. How to Place a Long-Term Over-the-Wire Catheter in a Foal. [(accessed on 24 October 2024)]. Available online: https://www.ivis.org/library/aaep/aaep-annual-convention-seattle-2005/how-to-place-a-long-term-over-wire-catheter-a-foal.
  15. Moretti E.W., Ofstead C.L., Kristy R.M., Wetzler H.P.. Impact of Central Venous Catheter Type and Methods on Catheter-Related Colonization and Bacteraemia. J. Hosp. Infect. 2005;61:139–145.
    doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2005.02.012pubmed: 16026898google scholar: lookup
  16. Maki DG, Weise CE, Sarafin HW. A Semiquantitative Culture Method for Identifying Intravenous-Catheter-Related Infection.. N. Engl. J. Med. 1977;296:1305–1309.
    doi: 10.1056/NEJM197706092962301pubmed: 323710google scholar: lookup
  17. Perondi F, Petrescu V-F, Fratini F, Brovida C, Porciello F, Ceccherini G, Lippi I. Bacterial Colonization of Non-Permanent Central Venous Catheters in Hemodialysis Dogs.. Heliyon 2020;6:e03224.
    doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03224pmc: PMC6994843pubmed: 32021926google scholar: lookup
  18. Ettlinger J, Palmer J, Benson C. Bacteria Found on Intravenous Catheters Removed from Horses.. Vet. Rec. 1992;130:248–249.
    doi: 10.1136/vr.130.12.248pubmed: 1514228google scholar: lookup
  19. Sato A, Nakamura I, Fujita H, Tsukimori A, Kobayashi T, Fukushima S, Fujii T, Matsumoto T. Peripheral Venous Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infection Is Associated with Severe Complications and Potential Death: A Retrospective Observational Study.. BMC Infect. Dis. 2017;17:434.
    doi: 10.1186/s12879-017-2536-0pmc: PMC5474015pubmed: 28623882google scholar: lookup
  20. Ruiz-Giardin JM, Ochoa Chamorro I, Velázquez Ríos L, Jaqueti Aroca J, García Arata MI, SanMartín López JV, Guerrero Santillán M. Blood Stream Infections Associated with Central and Peripheral Venous Catheters.. BMC Infect. Dis. 2019;19:841.
    doi: 10.1186/s12879-019-4505-2pmc: PMC6794764pubmed: 31615450google scholar: lookup
  21. Saloojee H, Steenhoff A. The Health Professional’s Role in Preventing Nosocomial Infections.. Postgrad. Med. J. 2001;77:16–19.
    doi: 10.1136/pmj.77.903.16pmc: PMC1741873pubmed: 11123387google scholar: lookup
  22. Bishop EJ, Howden BP. Treatment of Staphylococcus aureus Infections: New Issues, Emerging Therapies and Future Directions.. Expert. Opin. Emerg. Drugs. 2007;12:1–22.
    doi: 10.1517/14728214.12.1.1pubmed: 17355211google scholar: lookup
  23. Bouhrour N, Nibbering PH, Bendali F. Medical Device-Associated Biofilm Infections and Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.. Pathogens 2024;13:393.
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens13050393pmc: PMC11124157pubmed: 38787246google scholar: lookup
  24. Guzmán Ramos PJ, Fernández Pérez C, Ayllón Santiago T, Baquero Artigao MR, Ortiz-Díez G. Incidence of and Associated Factors for Bacterial Colonization of Intravenous Catheters Removed from Dogs in Response to Clinical Complications.. J. Vet. Intern. Med. 2018;32:1084–1091.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.15118pmc: PMC5980313pubmed: 29602241google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 0 times.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,000 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.