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Home / Equine Research Bank / Zoonoses Public Health / Pastern dermatitis outbreak associated with toxigenic and no...
Zoonoses and public health2023; 71(2); 127-135; doi: 10.1111/zph.13090

Pastern dermatitis outbreak associated with toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans at a horse stable in Finland, 2021.

Abstract: Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans, when producing toxin, are the cause of diphtheria, a potentially life-threatening illness in humans. Horses (Equus ferus caballus) are known to be susceptible to infection that may manifest clinically on rare occasions. In late 2021 and early 2022, specimens from five horses suffering from pastern dermatitis were cultured at the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland. C. diphtheriae and/or C. ulcerans were recovered from all of these. This study aimed to (1) analyse the bacterial isolates and (2) describe the outbreak and identify possible sources of the infection and infection routes in the stable. Susceptibility testing, PCR for the tox gene, and Elek test for toxin production in PCR-positive isolates were performed. Whole genome sequencing was also conducted to achieve high-resolution strain typing. An epidemiological survey was done by means of a semi-structured interview of horses' caretaker, and contact tracing was done among people at the stable. Two tox gene-positive, toxin-producing C. diphtheriae belonged to sequence type (ST) 822. Other C. diphtheriae (n = 2, ST828) and C. ulcerans (n = 2, ST325 and ST838) isolates did not carry the tox gene. The epidemiological investigation explored numerous possible routes of transmission, but the definite source of infection was not identified. All established human contacts tested negative for diphtheriae. All horses recovered after antimicrobial treatment. Our study shows that C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans may readily spread among horses at the same stable and complicate pastern dermatitis infections. These potentially zoonotic bacteria can cause outbreaks even in a country with a very low prevalence. Caretakers should be encouraged to wear gloves and practice good hand hygiene when treating infected skin lesions in horses.
© 2023 The Authors. Zoonoses and Public Health published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2023-11-05 PubMed ID: 37926867DOI: 10.1111/zph.13090Google 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.

The research article focused on examining an occurrence of pastern dermatitis, a horse skin condition, caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans bacteria species in a horse stable in Finland. The researchers analysed the bacterial isolates and explored the source and route of the infection.

Investigation and Analysis of Bacterial Isolates

  • The bacterium, Corynebacterium diphtheriae and Corynebacterium ulcerans, are known to cause diphtheria in humans. Diphtheria can be life-threatening, however, it is rare for horses to clinically manifest this infection.
  • In late 2021 and early 2022, samples were collected from five horses suffering from pastern dermatitis at a stable. The samples were tested at the Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Helsinki.
  • All samples tested positive for C. diphtheriae and/or C. ulcerans. The researchers then conducted susceptibility testing, PCR tests for the tox gene, and Elek tests for toxin production in any PCR-positive isolates.
  • To achieve precise strain identification, whole genome sequencing was performed. The results showed two tox gene-positive, toxin-producing C. diphtheriae of sequence type 822. Other C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans isolates did not have the tox gene.

Epidemiological Survey and Contact Tracing

  • An epidemiological survey was conducted using a semi-structured interview with the stable’s caretaker, attempting to trace the routes of transmission and possible sources of the outbreak.
  • While several potential transmission routes were considered, the definitive source of the infection remained unidentified.
  • Contact tracing was performed among all people at the stable, and all tested negative for diphtheria.
  • The horses recovered after receiving antimicrobial treatment.

Conclusions and Recommendations

  • Findings posit that both C. diphtheriae and C. ulcerans can spread easily among horses in the same stable and can exacerbate symptoms of pastern dermatitis. This holds true even in countries with a very low prevalence.
  • The researchers recommend that stable caretakers should practice enhanced hygiene measures, such as wearing gloves and consistently washing hands, especially when dealing with skin infections in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Grönthal TSC, Lehto AK, Aarnio SS, Eskola EK, Aimo-Koivisto EM, Karlsson T, Koskinen HI, Barkoff AM, He Q, Lienemann T, Rimhanen-Finne R, Mykkänen A. (2023). Pastern dermatitis outbreak associated with toxigenic and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae and non-toxigenic Corynebacterium ulcerans at a horse stable in Finland, 2021. Zoonoses Public Health, 71(2), 127-135. https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13090

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 71
Issue: 2
Pages: 127-135

Researcher Affiliations

Grönthal, Thomas Sven Christer
  • Animal Health Diagnostics Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland.
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Lehto, Anna Karoliina
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Aarnio, Sanna Sofia
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Eskola, Eva Katarina
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Aimo-Koivisto, Elina Marjaana
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Karlsson, Teemu
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Koskinen, Heli Irmeli
  • Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Barkoff, Alex-Mikael
  • Institute of Biomedicine, Research Center for Infections and Immunity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
He, Qiushui
  • Institute of Biomedicine, Research Center for Infections and Immunity, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.
Lienemann, Taru
  • Animal Health Diagnostics Unit, Finnish Food Authority, Helsinki, Finland.
Rimhanen-Finne, Ruska
  • Infectious Disease Control and Vaccinations Unit, Department of Health Security, Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Finland.
Mykkänen, Anna
  • Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Corynebacterium diphtheriae / genetics
  • Finland / epidemiology
  • Diphtheria / epidemiology
  • Diphtheria / microbiology
  • Diphtheria / veterinary
  • Disease Outbreaks
  • Dermatitis / epidemiology
  • Dermatitis / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Corynebacterium

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