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Home / Equine Research Bank / Microbiol Insights / Molecular Identification of Infectious Enteropathogens in Fa...
Microbiology insights2022; 15; 11786361221089005; doi: 10.1177/11786361221089005

Molecular Identification of Infectious Enteropathogens in Faeces of Healthy Horses.

Abstract: Zoogenic faecal contamination of the environment is one of the indices included in the evaluation of ecological threats, health hazards and adverse impacts on various ecosystems. The risks and environmental concerns are associated with the fact that faeces of wild and domesticated animals constitute the largest source of environmental loading of enteropathogens associated with transmission of zoonotic diseases (enteric zoonoses). Although sick animals are more likely to transmit pathogens, healthy ones can also be the carriers and defecate them into the environment. This is of particular importance given the close human-animal interactions and health effects resulting from human and ecological exposures to faecal hazards from companion and farm animals. We have therefore set out to investigate whether healthy equines can carry and defecate human infectious pathogens. For this purpose, we set up a pilot study to examine the faecal DNA of horses using culture-independent molecular diagnostics - fluorescent probe-based quantitative real-time PCR. Our results revealed that among a total of 23 horses, 6 were found to carry (), and 5 had serovar Typhimurium ( Typhimurium). Moreover, () was found in 14 horses, while 19 were positive for (). Furthermore, the frequently reported protozoan parasites in livestock, () and (), were discovered in 8 and 7 samples, respectively. This pilot study shed new light on the phenomenon of healthy horses carrying and other human-health-related enteropathogens.
© The Author(s) 2022.
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Publication Date: 2022-04-11 PubMed ID: 35431557PubMed Central: PMC9008849DOI: 10.1177/11786361221089005Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • 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.

The research is about the identification of disease-causing microorganisms in the feces of healthy horses. The study explored this using advanced molecular diagnostic techniques.

Objective and Importance of the Research

  • The study aimed to determine if healthy horses could carry and excrete infectious pathogens that are harmful to humans.
  • This concern arises due to high human-animal interaction and potential exposure to fecal hazards emanating from both pet and farm animals.
  • Understanding the ability of healthy horses to transmit pathogens provides useful insights into managing zoonotic diseases – illnesses transmitted from animals to humans.

Methodology Employed in the Study

  • In this pilot study, researchers examined the fecal DNA of horses using a cutting-edge technique known as culture-independent molecular diagnostics.
  • This diagnostic method uses a fluorescent probe-based quantitative real-time PCR, which is a highly sensitive and reliable technology for detecting genetic material of pathogens.

Findings of the Study

  • The study found that among the 23 horses tested, six were found to carry specific bacteria, and five had a particular serovar (strain) Typhimurium of a bacteria.
  • Other strains of bacteria were discovered in 14 horses, while 19 were found to carry a different species of bacteria.
  • The research also identified common protozoan parasites known to infect livestock. These parasites were detected in 8 and 7 samples, respectively.

Significance of the Study

  • This study shed light on the possibility that healthy horses can carry and release several pathogens that are of concern to human health. This finding underscores the need for careful management and monitoring of horse health, even those showing no signs of disease.
  • These results serve as a foundation for further studies on the subject and highlights the role that healthy animals may play in the spread of zoonotic diseases.

Cite This Article

APA
Paruch L, Paruch AM. (2022). Molecular Identification of Infectious Enteropathogens in Faeces of Healthy Horses. Microbiol Insights, 15, 11786361221089005. https://doi.org/10.1177/11786361221089005

Publication

Microbiology insights
ISSN: 1178-6361
NlmUniqueID: 101622216
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 15
Pages: 11786361221089005
PII: 11786361221089005

Researcher Affiliations

Paruch, Lisa
  • Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Aas, Norway.
Paruch, Adam M
  • Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), Aas, Norway.

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declaration of Conflicting Interests: The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Neblea IE, Chiriac AL, Zaharia A, Sarbu A, Teodorescu M, Miron A, Paruch L, Paruch AM, Olaru AG, Iordache TV. Introducing Semi-Interpenetrating Networks of Chitosan and Ammonium-Quaternary Polymers for the Effective Removal of Waterborne Pathogens from Wastewaters.. Polymers (Basel) 2023 Feb 22;15(5).
    doi: 10.3390/polym15051091pubmed: 36904332google scholar: lookup
  2. Baek S, Maloney JG, Molokin A, George NS, Cortés Vecino JA, Santin M. Diversity of Blastocystis Subtypes in Horses in Colombia and Identification of Two New Subtypes.. Microorganisms 2022 Aug 24;10(9).
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