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The Journal of infectious diseases1984; 150(4); 589-593; doi: 10.1093/infdis/150.4.589

Streptococcus durans: an unexpected enteropathogen of foals.

Abstract: Streptococcus durans was isolated from a foal with profuse watery diarrhea and caused a similar syndrome when inoculated into foals via the orogastric route. The most consistent and striking histological feature was the extensive colonization of the mucosal surface of the small intestine by S. durans. Associated mucosal changes were mild to modeate, and brush border lactase and alkaline phosphatase production were depressed. S. durans also induced acute diarrhea in young gnotobiotic piglets. Mucosal changes were mild and, as with foals, the mucosal surface of the small intestine was colonized by the organism.
Publication Date: 1984-10-01 PubMed ID: 6386998DOI: 10.1093/infdis/150.4.589Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

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The research article explores the unexpected role of the bacteria Streptococcus durans in causing severe diarrhea in foals. The bacteria was found to extensively colonize the lining of the small intestine, leading to mild to moderate changes in the intestinal mucosa, and was also shown to affect young piglets in a similar way.

Isolation and Identification of Streptococcus durans

  • The researchers isolated and identified Streptococcus durans from a foal suffering from severe, watery diarrhea. The isolation and identification of the bacteria was a crucial first step establishing a potential causal link between S. durans and the diarrhea.

Inoculation and Observation

  • After isolating the bacteria, the researchers inoculated it into healthy foals via the orogastric route (through the mouth to the stomach). This was done to confirm whether the isolated bacteria could induce similar symptoms in other foals.
  • After the inoculation, the foals developed a similar syndrome of profuse watery diarrhea. This observation strengthened the causal link between the bacteria and the gastrointestinal problem in foals.

Microscopic Findings

  • Microscopic examination of the affected foals’ small intestines showed that S. durans extensively colonized the mucosal surface. Ao%’,CAf’asssociated with this colonization, there were mild to moderate changes in the small intestine’s tissue (mucosa).
  • Two important digestive enzymes, lactase and alkaline phosphatase, were found to be produced in lower amounts, suggesting an impact on the foals’ digestive health and nourishment.

Experiments on Gnotobiotic Piglets

  • A parallel study was carried out on young gnotobiotic piglets, which are reared in germ-free conditions. These piglets were also affected in a similar way, with S. durans causing acute diarrhea.
  • As with the foals, the mucosal surface of the small intestine of these piglets was colonized by S. durans. However, the mucosal changes were mild, indicating that the bacteria may have different degrees of impact on different species.

Cite This Article

APA
Tzipori S, Hayes J, Sims L, Withers M. (1984). Streptococcus durans: an unexpected enteropathogen of foals. J Infect Dis, 150(4), 589-593. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/150.4.589

Publication

ISSN: 0022-1899
NlmUniqueID: 0413675
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 150
Issue: 4
Pages: 589-593

Researcher Affiliations

Tzipori, S
    Hayes, J
      Sims, L
        Withers, M

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Diarrhea / etiology
          • Diarrhea / pathology
          • Diarrhea / veterinary
          • Escherichia coli / pathogenicity
          • Female
          • Horse Diseases / etiology
          • Horse Diseases / pathology
          • Horses
          • Streptococcal Infections / etiology
          • Streptococcal Infections / pathology
          • Streptococcal Infections / veterinary
          • Streptococcus / pathogenicity
          • Swine

          Citations

          This article has been cited 12 times.
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