Prevalence of ocular microorganisms in hospitalized and stabled horses.

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.