Risk factors for nosocomial Salmonella infection among hospitalized horses.

This research study focuses on identifying the risk factors of nosocomial Salmonella infections in hospitalized horses. The results indicate that several factors, including horse’s diet, antibiotic treatment, and certain environmental conditions can increase the risk of these infections.

Study Design and Participants

• The research was longitudinal, meaning it observed the same subjects repeatedly over a specified period.
• The study involved 1583 horses hospitalized in an intensive care unit between January 1992 and June 1996.
• The researchers used survivor functions to estimate the time it took for horses to start shedding salmonellae for various Salmonella serotypes.
• Survival analysis, a statistical method to interpret lifespan data, helped determine how the risk factors influenced the chance of contracting Salmonella.

Findings of the Study

• Out of the total 1,583 horses, 78 of them shed Salmonella organisms.
• The horses shed different types of Salmonella, including S krefeld, S typhimurium, and others. The mean time from admission to shedding was significantly longer for horses shedding S krefeld or S typhimurium, leading to the conclusion that these infections were nosocomial (hospital-acquired).

Significant Risk Factors

• The study successfully identified seven variables significantly associated with the risk of nosocomial Salmonella infection. These are:
  • The average number of horses in the hospital shedding S krefeld or S typhimurium during the four days prior to and the day of admission.
  • A diagnosis of large colon impaction, a frequent disorder among hospitalized horses.
  • The practice of withholding feed from the horses.
  • The number of days horses were fed bran mash.
  • The duration of treatment with potassium penicillin G, an antibiotic.
  • The mean daily ambient temperature in the hospital.

Conclusions and Recommendations

• The risk of nosocomial Salmonella infections is greater for horses diagnosed with large colon impactions.
• To reduce the risk of nosocomial Salmonella infection, the researchers suggest implementing hospital protocols to minimize cross-contamination between patients and lessening the use of the antibiotic potassium penicillin G.
• Another strategy includes regulating the environmental temperature in the hospital.

The findings of this research assist in a better understanding of the risk factors for nosocomial Salmonella infections, critical for improving patient management and hospital conditions for horses.