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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Microbiol / Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in horses.
Veterinary microbiology2011; 152(1-2); 212-215; doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.04.012

Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in horses.

Abstract: Fecal samples were collected to establish the apparent prevalence of Clostridium difficile shedding in Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorses housed at 4 racetracks and 2 breeding facilities, and in horses admitted to a referral large animal clinic. Forty-one (7.59%) of 540 racetrack horses, seven (5.83%) of 120 breeding farm horses, and four (4.88%) out of 82 horses admitted to the referral clinic were culture-positive for C. difficile. An overall fecal culture prevalence of 7.01% for C. difficile was identified in 742 fecal samples. PCR-ribotyping and toxin gene identification was performed and seventeen 17 PCR-ribotypes were identified among the 52 C. difficile isolates.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2011-04-22 PubMed ID: 21570780DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.04.012Google 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 focuses on determining the prevalence of Clostridium difficile, a bacterium, in horses through the analysis of fecal samples collected from various sources such as racehorses, breeding farms and large animal referral clinics.

Objective of the Study

  • The primary goal of this study was to discover the prevalence of Clostridium difficile (commonly known as C. difficile), a bacterium often associated with diarrhea and more serious intestinal conditions, in racehorses, breeding farm horses, and those admitted to a large animal clinic.

Methods

  • Research scientists collected fecal samples from a total of 742 horses consisting of 540 racetrack horses, 120 breeding farm horses, and 82 horses from a referral large animal clinic.
  • The team used bacterial culture methods to identify the presence of C. difficile in the samples.
  • Further, they conducted PCR-Ribotyping, a technique used to classify bacterial strains, and toxin gene identification to better understand the characteristics of the isolation.

Results

  • Out of the 742 fecal samples, about 7.01% were positive for C. difficile.
  • Specifically, 7.59% of racetrack horses, 5.83% of breeding farm horses, and 4.88% of horses from the large animal clinic had C. difficile in their fecal matter.
  • On analyzing the data, researchers identified 17 different PCR-ribotypes among the 52 C. difficile isolates.

Conclusion and Significance

  • This study demonstrates that C. difficile is present in horses, across different breeds and settings.
  • The identification of different PCR-ribotypes suggests the bacteria’s diversity and potential variations in pathogenicity among the equine population.
  • This research provides a foundation for further studies into the role of C. difficile in horse health and potential strategies for the prevention and treatment of this infection in equine populations.

Cite This Article

APA
Medina-Torres CE, Weese JS, Staempfli HR. (2011). Prevalence of Clostridium difficile in horses. Vet Microbiol, 152(1-2), 212-215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2011.04.012

Publication

Veterinary microbiology
ISSN: 1873-2542
NlmUniqueID: 7705469
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 152
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 212-215

Researcher Affiliations

Medina-Torres, Carlos E
  • Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. cemedinat@unal.edu.co
Weese, J Scott
    Staempfli, Henry R

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Bacterial Shedding
      • Bacterial Toxins / genetics
      • Clostridioides difficile / classification
      • Clostridioides difficile / genetics
      • Clostridioides difficile / isolation & purification
      • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / epidemiology
      • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / microbiology
      • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / veterinary
      • Feces / microbiology
      • Female
      • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses / microbiology
      • Male
      • Ontario / epidemiology
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
      • Prevalence
      • Ribotyping / veterinary

      Citations

      This article has been cited 23 times.
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