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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / Presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium diffi...
BMC veterinary research2012; 8; 94; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-94

Presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in intestinal compartments of healthy horses.

Abstract: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens are commonly associated with colitis in equids, but healthy carriers exist. Scarce information is available on the prevalence of Clostridium spp. in gastrointestinal compartments other than faeces in healthy horses, and it is unknown whether faecal samples are representative of proximal compartments. The objectives were to investigate the prevalence of C. difficile and C. perfringens in different intestinal compartments of healthy adult horses and to determine whether faecal samples are representative of colonization in proximal sites and overall carrier status. Results: Toxigenic C. difficile was isolated from 14/135 (10.3%) samples from 8/15 (53.3%) horses. Between zero and three sites were positive per horse, and multiple sites were positive in four horses. Isolates were recovered from duodenum, jejunum, ileum, right dorsal colon, small colon and rectum. When multiple compartments were positive in a single horse, two different C. difficile ribotypes were always present. Clostridium perfringens Type A (CPE, β2 toxin gene negative) was recovered from the left ventral colon of one horse (0.74%, 1/135 samples). Agreement between faeces and overall C. difficile carrier status was good. Conclusions: Clostridium difficile can be found in different compartments of the gastrointestinal tract of healthy horses, and multiple strains can be present in an individual horse. The prevalence of C. perfringens in healthy adult hoses was low, consistent with previous reports. Faecal samples were representative for presence of C. difficile in proximal compartments in 5/8 horses (63%) but were not representative for the specific strain.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-29 PubMed ID: 22748233PubMed Central: PMC3514389DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-94Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The study investigates the prevalence and distribution of bacteria Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in different gastrointestinal tracts of healthy horses and evaluates if fecal samples are representative of overall bacterial colonization.

Understanding the research background

  • Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens are bacteria frequently linked to colitis (inflammation of the colon) in equids such as horses, donkeys, and zebras. Despite causing disease, these bacteria could also be found in healthy carriers without signs of sickness.
  • Earlier studies mostly focused on the presence of these bacteria in feces. However, this study intends to explore their prevalence in the various gastrointestinal parts like the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon in healthy horses.
  • The research aims to elucidate if fecal samples accurately represent proximal sites (nearest to the middle of the body, here referring to parts of the digestive tract) and the overall carrier status, thereby providing a comprehensive snapshot of bacterial colonization.

Key findings from the study

  • From 135 collected samples, toxigenic (toxin-producing) C. difficile was isolated from 14 samples (10.3%) representing 8 out of 15 horses (53.3%). The bacteria were identified in different digestive sections such as the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, right dorsal colon, small colon, and rectum.
  • Horses showed varying bacterial colonization, with some having C. difficile presence in up to three digestive compartments. Interestingly, in horses carrying the bacteria in multiple locations, two different C. difficile ribotypes (genetic variations of the bacterium) always coexisted.
  • Clostridium perfringens Type A, another bacterium under look, was detected only in the left ventral colon of one horse (0.74%, 1/135 samples), illustrating a low prevalence in adult horses, which aligns with previous studies.
  • The research found consistency between the bacteria’s presence in feces and overall C. difficile carrier status, suggesting that fecal samples reliably indicate the bacteria’s existence in proximal compartments in 63% (5 out of 8) of the cases.
  • However, fecal samples were not effective in identifying the specific bacterial strain present. They could detect the bacterium’s presence but failed to pinpoint if multiple strains were present concurrently in an individual horse.

Conclusions from the study

  • C. difficile can inhabit various compartments of the gastrointestinal tract in healthy horses, and it’s not uncommon for multiple strains to coexist within the same host.
  • The prevalence of C. perfringens in healthy adult horses is low, confirming earlier studies.
  • Fecal samples can provide a reliable indicator of the presence of C. difficile in proximal compartments in a majority of cases, but they are not dependable for determining the specific bacterial strain.

Cite This Article

APA
Schoster A, Arroyo LG, Staempfli HR, Shewen PE, Weese JS. (2012). Presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in intestinal compartments of healthy horses. BMC Vet Res, 8, 94. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-94

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 94

Researcher Affiliations

Schoster, Angelika
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada. aschoster@life.ku.dk
Arroyo, Luis Guillermo
    Staempfli, Henry Rolf
      Shewen, Patricia Elisabeth
        Weese, Jeffrey Scott

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Carrier State
          • Clostridioides difficile / classification
          • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
          • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
          • Clostridium perfringens / isolation & purification
          • DNA, Bacterial / classification
          • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
          • Feces / microbiology
          • Female
          • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
          • Horses / microbiology
          • Intestines / microbiology
          • Male
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
          • Ribotyping
          • Transcriptome

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