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American journal of veterinary research1988; 49(6); 773-777;

Prevalence of ocular microorganisms in hospitalized and stabled horses.

Abstract: Microorganisms from normal eyes of hospitalized and stabled horses were identified, and the frequency of isolation was compared between the 2 groups. Using standard techniques, swab specimens from both eyes of 22 hospitalized horses and both eyes of 18 stabled horses were cultured for aerobic bacteria and fungi. Ninety-six aerobic bacteria and 57 fungi were isolated. The predominant bacterial isolates were gram-positive organisms, most of which belonged to the genera Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Streptomyces. Gram-negative organisms comprised less than one-fourth of the bacterial isolates, with the genera Neisseria, Moraxella, and Acinetobacter being the most commonly isolated. Environmental fungi Cladosporium and Alternaria accounted for half of all fungal isolates. In only 5 horses were fungi isolated without accompanying isolation of bacteria. The frequency of isolation of fungi was higher (P less than 0.01) in stabled horses. For bacteria, the frequency of isolation was higher (P less than 0.08) in male horses. Results of susceptibility testing were recorded as the percentage of all isolates susceptible to a given antimicrobic drug. Bacterial isolates were highly susceptible (greater than or equal to 90%) to neomycin, polymixin B, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol. Overall, filamentous fungi had highest susceptibility to natamycin (97%). Miconazole was highly efficacious (100% susceptibility) against Fusarium and Aspergillus.
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Publication Date: 1988-06-01 PubMed ID: 3400913
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  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • U.S. Gov't
  • Non-P.H.S.

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 focused on identifying microorganisms present in the eyes of stabled and hospitalized horses, comparing the isolation frequency between both groups. Notably discovered were the prevalence of gram-positive bacteria and fungi in both sets of horses, with susceptibility testing identifying possible antimicrobial treatments.

Identifying Microorganisms

  • The researchers took swab samples from the eyes of 22 hospitalized horses and 18 stabled horses using standard techniques.
  • These samples were then cultured, and the researchers were able to isolate 96 aerobic bacteria and 57 fungi.
  • Most of the bacterial isolates were gram-positive, for example, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Staphylococcus, and Streptomyces.
  • A smaller number of gram-negative bacteria were isolated, examples being Neisseria, Moraxella, and Acinetobacter.
  • The primary fungi isolated were Cladosporium and Alternaria, making up half of the total fungi found.
  • Interestingly, fungi were isolated without the presence of bacteria in only 5 horses.

Comparing Hospitalized and Stabled Horses

  • The research showed distinct differences between the two groups of horses studied.
  • The frequency or incidence of fungal isolation was significantly elevated (P less than 0.01) in stabled horses compared to hospitalized horses.
  • Meanwhile, the bacterial isolation frequency was greater (P less than 0.08) in male horses. It’s not specified whether these male horses were predominantly hospitalized or stabled.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing

  • Researchers conducted susceptibility testing to find out which antimicrobial drugs the bacterial and fungal isolates were responsive to.
  • Bacterial isolates were highly susceptible (90% or more) to antimicrobial drugs such as neomycin, polymixin B, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol.
  • Concerning fungi, filamentous fungi exhibited the highest susceptibility to natamycin (97%).
  • Miconazole specifically demonstrated 100% efficacy against Fusarium and Aspergillus fungi.

This research provides vital data for veterinarians and researchers in developing more effective treatment methods for infections in horses’ eyes. It also holds implications on how the living conditions of horses (stabled vs. hospitalized) may influence the prevalence of certain microorganisms.

Cite This Article

APA
Moore CP, Heller N, Majors LJ, Whitley RD, Burgess EC, Weber J. (1988). Prevalence of ocular microorganisms in hospitalized and stabled horses. Am J Vet Res, 49(6), 773-777.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 6
Pages: 773-777

Researcher Affiliations

Moore, C P
  • Department of Surgical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706.
Heller, N
    Majors, L J
      Whitley, R D
        Burgess, E C
          Weber, J

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Bacteria / drug effects
            • Bacteria / isolation & purification
            • Bacterial Infections / complications
            • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
            • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
            • Carrier State / epidemiology
            • Carrier State / veterinary
            • Cross Infection / epidemiology
            • Cross Infection / veterinary
            • Eye / microbiology
            • Eye Diseases / epidemiology
            • Eye Diseases / veterinary
            • Female
            • Fungi / drug effects
            • Fungi / isolation & purification
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • Mycoses / complications
            • Mycoses / epidemiology
            • Mycoses / veterinary

            Citations

            This article has been cited 17 times.
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