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Mortality, clinical findings, predisposing factors and treatment of Clostridioides difficile colitis in Japanese thoroughbred racehorses.
Abstract: Although Clostridioides difficile-associated diseases (CDAD) is considered to be associated with colitis in horses, few studies have been performed with a focus on the characteristics of CDAD in thoroughbred racehorses. Between 2010 and 2018, a test for C. difficile was performed using faecal samples from 137 thoroughbred racehorses with colitis presenting with diarrhoea and fever. The mortality rate, clinical findings, predisposing factors and the selected treatments were investigated in a retrospective manner. Twenty-four cases were diagnosed as CDAD and 113 as non-CDAD. The mortality rate was significantly higher in the CDAD group (83 per cent) than that in the non-CDAD group (34 per cent). The levels of serum amyloid A, blood urea nitrogen and packed cell volume at initial presentation were also significantly higher, and those of total protein and albumin were significantly lower in the CDAD group. The development of CDAD was associated with the administration of antimicrobials, surgery and hospitalisation. No significant improvement in mortality was observed for any of the selected treatment in both groups. CDAD in thoroughbred racehorses was identified as a high mortality disease with rapid progression of systemic inflammation and deterioration of the circulatory state. Further investigation is required to improve the treatment.
© British Veterinary Association 2020. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
Publication Date: 2020-03-22 PubMed ID: 32201380DOI: 10.1136/vr.105605Google 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research paper investigates the characteristics, mortality rates, clinical findings, predisposing factors and treatment options for Clostridioides difficile-associated diseases (CDAD) in Japanese thoroughbred racehorses, highlighting high mortality rates and the need for further research on treatment improvement.
Objective of the Research
- The study aims to understand the characteristics, mortality rates, clinical symptoms, predisposing factors, and potential treatment options for Clostridioides difficile-associated diseases (CDAD) in thoroughbred racehorses. The research focuses on cases spanning from 2010 to 2018.
Research Methodology
- Faecal samples from 137 thoroughbred racehorses showing symptoms of colitis (diarrhoea and fever) were tested for CDAD.
- The mortality rate and clinical symptoms were documented in a retrospective manner.
- Predisposing factors and the treatments given were also examined.
Findings in the Researched Cases
- From the total 137 cases, 24 were diagnosed as CDAD and the remaining 113 as non-CDAD.
- The groups showed significant differences with a mortality rate of 83% in the CDAD group and 34% in the non-CDAD group.
- Levels of serum amyloid A, blood urea nitrogen, and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the CDAD group at initial presentation, with total protein and albumin levels being significantly lower.
Predisposing Factors
- The progression of CDAD was found to be associated with factors like the administration of antimicrobials, surgical procedures, and hospitalisation.
Effectiveness of Treatments
- The study found no significant improvement in mortality rates after applying the selected treatments in either group.
Conclusions Drawn
- CDAD in thoroughbred racehorses was identified as a high-mortality disease with rapid progression causing systemic inflammation and deterioration of the circulatory state.
- The research calls for a further investigation for improving treatment options considering the significant mortality rate and overall severity of the disease.
Cite This Article
APA
Nomura M, Kuroda T, Tamura N, Muranaka M, Niwa H.
(2020).
Mortality, clinical findings, predisposing factors and treatment of Clostridioides difficile colitis in Japanese thoroughbred racehorses.
Vet Rec, 187(2), e14.
https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.105605 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Horse Racing School, Japan Racing Association, Shiroi, Chiba, Japan Motoi_Nomura@jra.go.jp.
- Clinical Science & Pathobiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Clinical Science & Pathobiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
- Racehorse Hospital, Miho Training Center, Japan Racing Association, Inashiki, Ibaraki, Japan.
- Microbiology Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Causality
- Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
- Clostridium Infections / microbiology
- Clostridium Infections / mortality
- Clostridium Infections / therapy
- Clostridium Infections / veterinary
- Colitis / microbiology
- Colitis / mortality
- Colitis / therapy
- Colitis / veterinary
- Feces / microbiology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / mortality
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Japan
- Male
- Retrospective Studies
Conflict of Interest Statement
Competing interests: None declared.
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Kinoshita Y, Niwa H, Ueno T. Minimal disruption of equine gut microbiota by intravenous cephalothin treatment. J Vet Med Sci 2025 Jun 1;87(6):690-696.
- Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Mita H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Ohta M. Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis of cephalothin after intramuscular administration in Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2023 Dec;34(4):111-114.
- Mita H, Kuroda T, Niwa H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Ohta M. Incidence of surgical site infection after internal fixation of the first phalangeal bone and the third metacarpal/metatarsal bone fractures in Thoroughbred racehorses. J Equine Sci 2023 Sep;34(3):61-66.
- Uchida-Fujii E, Niwa H, Senoh M, Kato H, Kinoshita Y, Mita H, Ueno T. Clostridioides difficile infection in thoroughbred horses in Japan from 2010 to 2021. Sci Rep 2023 Aug 11;13(1):13099.
- Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Mita H, Tamura N, Fukuda K, Kuwano A, Sato F. Concentration of cephalothin in body fluids and tissue samples of Thoroughbred horses. J Equine Sci 2022 Sep;33(3):51-54.
- Gomez DE, Leclere M, Arroyo LG, Li L, John E, Afonso T, Payette F, Darby S. Acute diarrhea in horses: A multicenter Canadian retrospective study (2015 to 2019). Can Vet J 2022 Oct;63(10):1033-1042.
- Lara F, Castro R, Thomson P. Changes in the gut microbiome and colic in horses: Are they causes or consequences?. Open Vet J 2022 Mar-Apr;12(2):242-249.
- Hain-Saunders NMR, Knight DR, Bruce M, Riley TV. Clostridioides difficile infection and One Health: an equine perspective. Environ Microbiol 2022 Mar;24(3):985-997.
- Uzal FA, Arroyo LG, Navarro MA, Gomez DE, Asín J, Henderson E. Bacterial and viral enterocolitis in horses: a review. J Vet Diagn Invest 2022 May;34(3):354-375.
- Kuroda T, Minamijima Y, Niwa H, Tamura N, Mita H, Fukuda K, Kaimachi M, Suzuki Y, Enoki Y, Taguchi K, Matsumoto K, Toutain PL, Bousquet-Melou A, Kasashima Y. Rational dosage regimens for cephalothin and cefazolin using pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics analysis in healthy horses. Equine Vet J 2021 Nov;53(6):1239-1249.
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