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Veterinary microbiology2011; 150(1-2); 152-159; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.01.003

Microbiology of equine wounds and evidence of bacterial biofilms.

Abstract: Horse wounds have a high risk of becoming infected due to their environment. Infected wounds harbour diverse populations of microorganisms, however in some cases these microorganisms can be difficult to identify and fail to respond to antibiotic treatment, resulting in chronic non-healing wounds. In human wounds this has been attributed to the ability of bacteria to survive in a biofilm phenotypic state. Biofilms are known to delay wound healing, principally due to their recalcitrance towards antimicrobial therapies and components of the innate immune response. This study describes the presence of bacterial biofilms within equine wounds. Thirteen 8-mm diameter tissue samples were collected from (n=18) chronic wounds. Following histological staining, samples were observed for evidence of biofilms. Fifty one wounds and control skin sites were sampled using sterile swabs. Control skin sites were on the uninjured side of the horse at the same anatomical location as the wound. The isolated bacteria were cultured aerobically and anaerobically. The biofilm forming potential of all the isolated bacteria was determined using a standard crystal violet microtitre plate assay. Stained tissue samples provided evidence of biofilms within 61.5% (8 out of 13) equine wounds. In total 340 bacterial isolates were identified from all the equine wound and skin samples. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus faecium were the most predominantly isolated bacterial species from equine wound and skin samples respectively. Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated genus in both environments. Bacteria cultured from chronic and acute wounds showed significantly (P<0.05) higher biofilm forming potential than bacteria isolated from skin. This paper highlights preliminary evidence supporting the presence of biofilms and a high microbial diversity in equine chronic wounds. The presence of biofilms in equine wounds partly explains the reluctance of many lower limb wounds to heal. Non-healing limb wounds in horses are a well documented welfare and economic concern. This knowledge can be used to shape future treatments in order to increase the healing rate and decrease the costs and suffering associate with equine wounds.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-01-11 PubMed ID: 21273008DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.01.003Google 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 research study examines the microbiology of horse wounds, with a particular focus on bacterial biofilms, types of microbial communities that are notoriously resistant to treatment. The study highlights the complex diversity of bacteria in these wounds, confirms the existence of biofilms, and infers that these biofilms likely explain why many equine wounds become chronic and struggle to heal.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers collected 13 8-mm wide tissue samples from chronic wounds on 18 horses. The diversity and structure of the bacterial communities in these samples were then studied.
  • A histological staining method was used to visually observe the samples for biofilms – structural colonies of bacteria that can lodge in tissue.
  • A further 51 wound and control skin sites were sampled with sterile swabs. Control sites were chosen as the uninjured regions on the opposite side of the horse as the wound, at a similar anatomical location.
  • The isolated bacteria were cultured both in the presence (aerobically) and absence (anaerobically) of oxygen, to provide further details on the nature and diversity of the bacterial populations.
  • The bacteria’s ability to form biofilms was determined with a standard assay test using crystal violet, a common staining agent.

Key Findings

  • Following the staining process, bacteria biofilms were seen to be present in 8 of the 13 (61.5%) equine wounds analysed.
  • The researchers identified 340 unique bacterial isolates from all the wound and skin samples studied. The most commonly isolated species were Pseudomonas aeruginosa from wound samples and Enterococcus faecium from the skin samples.
  • Alongside these, Staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated bacterial genus across both types of samples.
  • The study found that bacteria cultured from both the chronic and acute wounds had a significantly higher potential to form biofilms than bacteria from skin samples.

Significance of the Study

  • This study provides preliminary evidence of bacterial biofilms existing within chronic horse wounds, backing the hypothesis of their role in making these wounds resistant to healing.
  • It calculates a high level of microbial diversity in these wounds, detailing bacterial species that may be crucial in understanding the treatment (or lack thereof) of such wounds.
  • The research underlines the welfare and economic concern of non-healing limb wounds in horses, and the importance of understanding the underlying factors to inform future treatment strategies. The aim is to increase healing rates, decrease costs, and alleviate the suffering associated with persistent equine wounds.

Cite This Article

APA
Westgate SJ, Percival SL, Knottenbelt DC, Clegg PD, Cochrane CA. (2011). Microbiology of equine wounds and evidence of bacterial biofilms. Vet Microbiol, 150(1-2), 152-159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.01.003

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 150
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 152-159

Researcher Affiliations

Westgate, S J
  • University of Liverpool, School of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Leahurst, Neston, South Wirral CH64 7TE, United Kingdom. s.j.westgate@liv.ac.uk
Percival, S L
    Knottenbelt, D C
      Clegg, P D
        Cochrane, C A

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Biofilms
          • Enterococcus faecium / isolation & purification
          • Enterococcus faecium / pathogenicity
          • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
          • Horse Diseases / microbiology
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Pseudomonas Infections / microbiology
          • Pseudomonas Infections / pathology
          • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
          • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / pathogenicity
          • Skin Diseases, Bacterial / microbiology
          • Staphylococcal Infections / microbiology
          • Staphylococcus / isolation & purification
          • Staphylococcus / pathogenicity
          • Wound Infection / microbiology

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