Preliminary molecular analysis of Clostridium difficile isolates from healthy horses in northern Italy.
Abstract: Clostridium difficile, associated with a wide spectrum of diseases in humans, as well as in several animal species, is an important cause of colitis in adult horses and foals. The aim of this study was to investigate by toxin gene profile and PCR-ribotyping the molecular characteristics of 14 C. difficile strains isolated from 42 faeces of healthy horses. Both toxin genes, tcdA and tcdB, were present in only 1 isolate (7.1%). Six isolates (42.9%) demonstrated tcdA-/tcdB+ genotype, and seven isolates (50.0%) were tcdA-/tcdB-. All strains were binary toxin genes negative (cdtA-/cdtB-). The PCR-positive strains, except for the tcdA+/tcdB+ isolate, tested negative for, in vitro, A and/or B toxins production by EIA. Eleven distinct ribotypes were observed. In conclusion, C. difficile can be present in the normal intestinal flora of healthy adult horses, in addition to foals. These animals could therefore play an important role as potential reservoirs of toxigenic strains.
Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Publication Date: 2009-12-11 PubMed ID: 20004974DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2009.10.008Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research focuses on isolating and analyzing the Clostridium difficile bacteria in healthy horses in northern Italy for the presence of certain toxin genes. The findings suggest that some of these bacteria can exist in the normal intestinal flora of healthy adult horses and foals, indicating their potential role as reservoirs of toxigenic strains.
Objective of the Study
- The study was designed to identify and evaluate the molecular characteristics of Clostridium difficile strains isolated from the feces of healthy horses, especially focusing on toxin gene profile and PCR-ribotyping.
Clostridium difficile and Its Impact
- Clostridium difficile is a bacteria associated with a broad range of diseases in humans and various animal species.
- It is a significant cause of colitis, an inflammation of the colon, in adult horses and foals.
Methodology and Results
- 14 C. difficile strains were isolated from 42 fecal samples of healthy horses for this study.
- The researchers investigated the presence of toxin genes tcdA and tcdB in these strains.
- Only one strain had both tcdA and tcdB genes present.
- Six strains had the tcdA-/tcdB+ genotype, and seven strains were tcdA-/tcdB-, meaning they lacked both genes.
- All the strains were negative for the binary toxin genes cdtA and cdtB.
- Except for the one strain that was tcdA+/tcdB+, all PCR-positive strains tested negative for, in vitro, A and/or B toxins production by EIA.
- Overall, eleven distinct ribotypes were observed among the strains.
Conclusion and Implications
- It has been concluded that C. difficile can survive in the normal intestinal flora of both healthy adult horses and foals. This may imply these animals can potentially serve as reservoirs of toxigenic C. difficile strains.
- Understanding this can help further initiatives towards disease prevention and control against diseases caused by C. difficile.
Cite This Article
APA
Ossiprandi MC, Buttrini M, Bottarelli E, Zerbini L.
(2009).
Preliminary molecular analysis of Clostridium difficile isolates from healthy horses in northern Italy.
Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 33(6), e25-e29.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2009.10.008 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Parma, Via del Taglio no. 8, 43100 Parma, Italy. mariacristina.ossiprandi@unipr.it
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bacterial Proteins / genetics
- Bacterial Toxins / genetics
- Clostridioides difficile / classification
- Clostridioides difficile / genetics
- Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
- Enterotoxins / genetics
- Feces / microbiology
- Genotype
- Horses / microbiology
- Intestines / microbiology
- Italy
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Ribotyping
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Petry S, Tapprest J, Maillard K, Barbut F, Duquesne F, Kozak S, Foucher N, Bernez-Romand M, Bridoux L, Poquet I. Clostridioides difficile in equidae necropsied in Northwestern France, between 2019 and 2021. Microbiol Spectr 2026 Feb 3;14(2):e0216525.
- Rodriguez-Diaz C, Seyboldt C, Rupnik M. Non-human Clostridioides difficile Reservoirs and Sources: Animals, Food, Environment. Adv Exp Med Biol 2024;1435:329-350.
- 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.
- Weese JS, Slovis N, Rousseau J. Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile in neonatal foals and mares at a referral hospital. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Mar;35(2):1140-1146.
- Schoster A, Arroyo LG, Staempfli HR, Shewen PE, Weese JS. Presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in intestinal compartments of healthy horses. BMC Vet Res 2012 Jun 29;8:94.
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