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Journal of veterinary internal medicine1999; 13(4); 357-360; doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(1999)013<0357:tposif>2.3.co;2

The prevalence of Aeromonas species in feces of horses with diarrhea.

Abstract: Feces collected from 40 horses with diarrhea and 34 horses without diarrhea were examined to determine if an association existed between isolation of Aeromonas spp. and diarrhea. Samples were also examined for Salmonella spp., and identification of viruses and parasite ova. Neither Salmonella spp. nor Aeromonas spp. were isolated from the feces of 34 control horses. Aeromonas spp. were isolated from feces of 22 of 40 (55%) horses with diarrhea. Salmonella spp. were isolated from feces of 8 (20%) horses, and of these, 5 (12.5%) were also positive for Aeromonas spp. Twenty-nine isolates of Aeromonas spp. were recovered from the feces of 22 diarrheic horses. Of these isolates, more than 80% were susceptible on in vitro testing to amikacin, ceftiofur, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin. All isolates were susceptible to enrofloxacin. Diarrheic horses positive for Aeromonas were significantly (P = .04) older than diarrheic horses negative for Aeromonas spp. A significantly greater number of fecal samples were positive for Aeromonas spp. during March through August than samples examined in other months (P = .014). Results of this study indicate that Aeromonas spp. should be considered as a cause of diarrhea in horses.
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Publication Date: 1999-08-17 PubMed ID: 10449228PubMed Central: PMC7166617DOI: 10.1892/0891-6640(1999)013<0357:tposif>2.3.co;2Google 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.

This study investigates the correlation between the presence of Aeromonas bacteria and diarrhea in horses, and suggests that the bacteria could be a cause for the illness, especially in older horses and during the months from March to August.

Research Objectives and Methods

In this study, the researchers aimed to identify any potential links between diarrhea in horses and the presence of Aeromonas bacteria in their feces. The title makes it clear that this Aeromonas species was the primary focus of the research. However, other potential pathogens, like Salmonella and various viruses and parasites, were also tested for.

  • The study was conducted on a total of 74 horses, with 40 of these suffering from diarrhea and the remaining 34 serving as control subjects.
  • Fecal samples were collected from all the horses and subsequently examined for the presence of Aeromonas spp., Salmonella spp., and other potential pathogens.

Key Findings

The investigation produced several significant findings:

  • No traces of either Aeromonas spp. or Salmonella spp. were found in the feces of the control group, i.e., the horses without diarrhea.
  • Aeromonas spp. were found in the fecal samples of 55% of the horses with diarrhea.
  • Twenty percent of the horses with diarrhea tested positive for Salmonella spp., with 12.5% of these horses also testing positive for Aeromonas spp.
  • Of the Aeromonas isolates that were found in the fecal samples, more than 80% were susceptible to specific antibiotics such as amikacin, ceftiofur, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, and all were susceptible to enrofloxacin.
  • It was observed that horses suffering from diarrhea that tested positive for Aeromonas spp. were significantly older compared to horses that were negative for this bacterial species.
  • Additionally, it was found that the frequency of positive Aeromonas spp. tests was significantly higher from March to August, suggesting a potential seasonal effect.

Conclusions and Implications

Based on the above results, this study suggests that Aeromonas spp. could be a cause of diarrhea in horses, particularly among older horses and in certain months of the year. Furthermore, results from the susceptibility tests could prove beneficial in developing or adjusting treatment strategies for cases of equine diarrhea where Aeromonas spp. are present. Given these findings, the study encourages inclusion of this bacterial species in future examinations for pathogens in horses suffering from diarrhea.

Cite This Article

APA
Hathcock TL, Schumacher J, Wright JC, Stringfellow J. (1999). The prevalence of Aeromonas species in feces of horses with diarrhea. J Vet Intern Med, 13(4), 357-360. https://doi.org/10.1892/0891-6640(1999)013<0357:tposif>2.3.co;2

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 4
Pages: 357-360

Researcher Affiliations

Hathcock, T L
  • Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849, USA. hathctl@vetmed.auburn.edu
Schumacher, J
    Wright, J C
      Stringfellow, J

        MeSH Terms

        • Aeromonas / isolation & purification
        • Animals
        • Diarrhea / etiology
        • Diarrhea / microbiology
        • Diarrhea / veterinary
        • Feces / microbiology
        • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / veterinary
        • Horse Diseases / microbiology
        • Horses
        • Prevalence

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        Citations

        This article has been cited 4 times.
        1. Andriyanov PA, Kashina DD, Liskova EA, Zhurilov PA, Tutrina AI, Ermolaeva SA, Zakharova OI, Blokhin AA. The first detection of two Aeromonas strains in mice of the genus Apodemus. Sci Rep 2023 Mar 15;13(1):4315.
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        2. Kopper JJ, Willette JA, Kogan CJ, Seguin A, Bolin SR, Schott HC 2nd. Detection of pathogens in blood or feces of adult horses with enteric disease and association with outcome of colitis. J Vet Intern Med 2021 Sep;35(5):2465-2472.
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