Abstract: Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a multifactorial syndrome, with prolonged exposure to moisture assumed to be a predisposing or primary factor. Objective: To examine the course of EPD lesion severity, changes in bacterial skin microbiota, and the influence of meteorological factors. Methods: Prospective, longitudinal cohort study over a one-year period, with six Franches-Montagnes stallions, four affected by EPD and two unaffected, that were kept under the same conditions. Methods: Pasterns were scored for lesion severity and sampled once a month for 12 consecutive months. Lesion severity, the skin microbiota and meteorological factors were examined for associations. Results: EPD lesions tended to worsen in autumn and at the beginning of spring. The relationship between lesion severity and the meteorological factor precipitation was not clearly evident; high scores were preceded by both low or high rates of precipitation. Microbiota in affected pasterns appeared to have experienced a reduction in alpha diversity. Beta diversity analyses demonstrated that bacterial community structures were altered in affected versus unaffected pasterns, and that alterations were more pronounced with higher EPD scores (P = 0.005). Meteorological factors also had considerable influences on the bacterial composition, whereby these influences appeared to be more marked in the affected pasterns (P = 0.001, F = 3.19) than in unaffected ones (P = 0.005, F = 1.83). Conclusions: Our study provides preliminary observations of the relationships between lesion severity, meteorological factors and cutaneous bacteria. The population was too small to draw firm conclusions, and further studies on environmental factors and the involvement of bacteria in this multifactorial disease are needed. Background: La dermatite du paturon équin (EPD) est un syndrome multifactoriel, l'exposition prolongée à l'humidité étant supposée être un facteur prédisposant ou principal. HYPOTHÈSE/OBJECTIFS: Examiner l'évolution de la gravité des lésions d’EPD, les modifications du microbiote cutané bactérien et l'influence des facteurs météorologiques. Unassigned: Etude de cohorte prospective et longitudinale sur une période d'un an, avec six étalons Franches-Montagnes, quatre atteints d'EPD et deux non atteints, élevés dans les mêmes conditions. MÉTHODES ET MATÉRIEL: Les paturons ont été notés pour la gravité des lésions et échantillonnés une fois par mois pendant 12 mois consécutifs. La sévérité des lésions, le microbiote cutané et les facteurs météorologiques ont été examinés par associations. RÉSULTATS: Les lésions d’EPD avaient tendance à s'aggraver en automne et au début du printemps. La relation entre la gravité des lésions et le facteur météorologique des précipitations n'était pas clairement évidente; les scores élevés étaient précédés par des taux de précipitations faibles ou élevés. Le microbiote des paturons affectés semble avoir subi une réduction de la diversité alpha. Les analyses de diversité bêta ont démontré que les structures de la communauté bactérienne étaient altérées pour les paturons affectés par rapport aux non affectés, et que les altérations étaient plus prononcées avec des scores EPD plus élevés (P = 0,005). Les facteurs météorologiques ont également eu des influences considérables sur la composition bactérienne, ces influences semblant plus marquées chez les paturons atteints (P = 0,001, F = 3,19) que chez les non atteints (P = 0,005, F = 1,83). Unassigned: Notre étude fournit des observations préliminaires sur les relations entre la sévérité des lésions, les facteurs météorologiques et les bactéries cutanées. La population était trop petite pour tirer des conclusions définitives, et d'autres études sur les facteurs environnementaux et l'implication des bactéries dans cette maladie multifactorielle sont nécessaires. INTRODUCCIÓN: la dermatitis de la cuartilla equina (EPD) es un síndrome multifactorial, y se supone que la exposición prolongada a la humedad es un factor predisponente o primario. HIPÓTESIS/OBJETIVOS: Examinar la progresión de la severidad de lesiones de EPD, los cambios en la microbiota bacteriana de la piel y la influencia de factores meteorológicos. ANIMALES: Estudio de cohorte longitudinal prospectivo durante un año, con seis sementales Franches-Montagnes, cuatro afectados por EPD y dos no afectados, que se mantuvieron en las mismas condiciones. MÉTODOS Y MATERIALES: los metacarpos se calificaron según la gravedad de la lesión y se tomaron muestras una vez al mes durante 12 meses consecutivos. Se examinaron la gravedad de las lesiones, la microbiota cutánea y los factores meteorológicos en busca de asociaciones. RESULTADOS: las lesiones de EPD tendieron a empeorar en otoño y principios de primavera. La relación entre la gravedad de la lesión y el factor meteorológico precipitación no fue claramente evidente; los valores altos fueron precedidos por tasas de precipitación bajas o altas. La microbiota en los metacarpos afectados pareció haber experimentado una reducción en la diversidad alfa. Los análisis de diversidad beta demostraron que las estructuras de la comunidad bacteriana se alteraron en los metacarpos afectados frente a los no afectados, y que las alteraciones fueron más pronunciadas con valores de EPD más altos (P = 0,005). Los factores meteorológicos también influyeron considerablemente en la composición bacteriana, por lo que estas influencias parecieron ser más marcadas en los metacarpos afectados (P = 0,001, F = 3,19) que en los no afectados (P = 0,005, F = 1,83). CONCLUSIONES Y RELEVANCIA CLÍNICA: nuestro estudio proporciona observaciones preliminares de las relaciones entre la gravedad de las lesiones, los factores meteorológicos y las bacterias cutáneas. La población era demasiado pequeña para sacar conclusiones firmes y se necesitan más estudios sobre los factores ambientales y la participación de las bacterias en esta enfermedad multifactorial. Unassigned: Die Hautentzündung der distalen Gliedmaßen beim Pferd (EPD) ist ein multifaktorielles Syndrom, wobei angenommen wird, dass Feuchtigkeit, der die Pferde langfristig ausgesetzt sind, einen prädisponierenden oder primären Faktor darstellt. Unassigned: Eine Untersuchung des Schweregrades der EPD Läsionen, der Veränderungen der bakteriellen Mikrobiome und des Einflusses meteorologischer Faktoren. Unassigned: Es handelt sich um eine prospektive, longitudinale Kohortenstudie über den Zeitraum von einem Jahr. Es wurden dabei sechs Franches-Montagnes Hengste untersucht, die unter den gleichen Bedingungen gehalten wurden, wobei vier von EPD betroffen und zwei nicht betroffen waren. Unassigned: Die Fesselbeugen wurden auf Schwere der Veränderungen untersucht und einmal monatlich für 12 aufeinanderfolgende Monate Proben entnommen. Der Schweregrad der Veränderungen, die Mikrobiota der Haut und die meteorologischen Faktoren wurden auf Zusammenhänge untersucht. Unassigned: EPD Veränderungen tendierten zu einer Verschlechterung im Herbst und am Beginn des Frühlings. Der Zusammenhang zwischen Schweregrad der Veränderungen und dem meteorologischen Faktor Niederschlag war nicht klar vorhanden; hohen Werten gingen sowohl niedrige wie auch hohe Niederschlagswerte voraus. Die Mikrobiome der betroffenen Fesselbeugen schienen eine Reduktion in Richting alpha Diversität durchgemacht zu haben. Beta Diversitätsanalyse zeigte, dass die bakteriellen Strukturen sich zwischen betroffenen und nicht betroffenen Fesselbeugen veränderten und dass die Veränderungen mit höheren EPD Werten deutlicher waren (P = 0,005). Meteorologische Faktoren zeigten auch einen bedeutenden Einfluss auf die bakterielle Zusammensetzung, wobei diese Einflüsse bei den betroffenen Fesselbeugen deutlicher waren (P = 0,001, F = 3,19) als bei den nicht betroffenen (P = 0,005, F = 1,83). Unassigned: Unsere Studie beschreibt vorläufige Beobachtungen der Beziehungen zwischen Schweregrad der Veränderungen, meteorologischen Faktoren und Bakterien der Haut. Die Population war zu klein, um deutliche Schlüsse zu ziehen und daher sind weitere Studien über Umweltfaktoren und die Beteiligung von Bakterien an dieser multifaktoriellen Erkrankung notwendig. 背景: 馬の繋皹(EPD) は多因子症候群で、水分への長期暴露が素因または主要な要因であると考えられている。 仮説/目的: 本研究の目的は、 EPD病変の重症度の経過、細菌性皮膚微生物叢の変化、および気象要因の影響を調べることであった。 供試動物: 同じ条件下で飼育された6頭のフランシュモンターニュスタリオン(EPDに罹患した4頭とEPDに罹患していない2頭) を対象に、 1年間にわたる前向き縦断コホート研究を行った。 材料と方法: 下肢部は病変の重症度についてスコアが付けられ、12か月連続で月に1回サンプリングされた。病変の重症度、皮膚の微生物叢、および気象学的要因の関連性を調べた。 結果: EPD病変は、秋と春の初めに悪化する傾向があった。病変の重症度と気象因子の降水量との関係は明確ではなかった。高いスコアの前には、降水量が少ないか多いかの両方があった。罹患下肢部の微生物叢は、α多様性の減少を認めたように見えた。β多様性解析は、罹患下肢部と罹患していない下肢部で細菌群集構造が変化し、EPDスコアが高いほど変化がより顕著であることを示した (P = 0.005) 。気象要因も細菌組成にかなりの影響を及ぼしたため、これらの影響は、罹患していない下肢部(P = 0.005、F = 1.83) よりも罹患下肢部(P = 0.001、F = 3.19) でより顕著であるように見えた。 結論と臨床的関連性: 私たちの研究は、病変の重症度、気象要因、および皮膚細菌の間の関係の予備的観察を提供している。集団が小さすぎて確固たる結論を出すことはできず、環境要因とこの多因子性疾患への細菌の関与に関するさらなる研究が必要である。. 背景: 马骹皮炎 (EPD) 是一种多因素综合征, 长期潮湿暴露被认为是易感因素或主要因素。 假设/目标: 检查EPD病变严重程度、细菌皮肤微生物群的变化以及气象因素影响的过程。 动物: 为期一年的前瞻性纵向队列研究, 在相同条件下饲养六匹Franches Montagnes种马, 四匹EPD, 两匹正常。 方法和材料: 对骹进行病变严重程度评分, 每月取样一次, 连续12个月。检查病变严重程度、皮肤微生物群和气象因素之间的相关性。 结果: EPD病变在秋季和春季初有恶化趋势。病变严重程度与气象因子降水量关系不明显; 给出高分之前, 降水量或低或高。发病骹的微生物群似乎经历了α多样性的减少。β多样性分析表明, 与骹正常的动物相比, 骹发病动物的细菌群落结构发生了改变, 并且随着EPD得分的升高, 这种改变更加明显 (P=0.005) 。气象因素对细菌组成也有相当大的影响, 因此这些影响对发病骹(P=0.001,F=3.19) 比正常骹(P=0.005,F=1.83) 更为显著。 结论和临床相关性: 我们的研究提供了病变严重程度、气象因素和皮肤细菌之间关系的初步观察结果。数量太少, 无法得出确切结论, 需要进一步研究环境因素和细菌与该多因素疾病的关系。. Unassigned: A dermatite de quartela equina (DQE) é uma síndrome multifatorial, sendo a exposição à umidade considerada um fator predisponente ou uma causa primária. HIPÓTESE/OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a evolução da gravidade das lesões de DQE, alterações na microbiota cutânea, e a influência de fatores meteorológicos. Unassigned: Estudo de coortes prospectivo longitudinal durante um período de um ano, com seis garanhões da raça Franches-Montagne, quatro afetados por DQE e dois não afetados, que foram mantidos sob as mesmas condições. MÉTODOS E MATERIAIS: As quartelas foram classificadas de acordo com a gravidade das lesões e amostradas uma vez ao mês por 12 meses consecutivos. Gravidade das lesões, microbiota cutânea e condições meteorológicas foram examinados para associações. Results: As lesões de DQE apresentaram tendência de piora no outono e no começo da primavera. A relação entre a gravidade das lesões e as condições climáticas de precipitação não foi evidente; escores altos foram precedidos tanto por taxas altas quanto baixas de precipitação. A microbiota nas quartelas afetadas aparentemente apresentou redução na alpha-diversidade. As análises de beta-diversidade demonstraram que as estruturas da comunidade bacteriana estavam alteradas nas quartelas afetadas versus não afetadas, e que as alterações eram mais pronunciadas com altos escores de DQE (P = 0,005). As condições meteorológicas também apresentaram influência considerável na composição da microbiota, e, nas quartelas afetadas, esta influência aparentou ser mais marcante nas quartelas afetadas (P = 0,001, F = 3,19) que nas não afetadas (P = 0,005, F = 1,83). CONCLUSÕES E RELEVÂNCIA CLÍNICA: O nosso estudo fornece observações preliminares quanto às relações entre gravidade das lesões, condições meteorológicas e bactérias cutâneas. A população era muito pequena para tirar conclusões assertivas, e mais estudos sobre os fatores ambientais e o envolvimento de bactérias nessa doença multifatorial são necessários.
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This study preliminarily investigates the relationship among the severity of equine pastern dermatitis (EPD), meteorological factors, and bacterial skin microorganisms. The findings suggest seasonal variations in EPD severity and alterations in skin bacterial diversity due to meteorological factors, but the small sample size limits definitive conclusions.
Study Methodology and Design
The objective of the research was to analyze the course of EPD lesions severity, the changes in the bacterial skin microbiota, and the influence of meteorological conditions such as precipitation.
A one-year-long prospective cohort study was conducted on six Franches-Montagnes stallions, four affected by EPD and two unaffected, all kept under the same conditions.
The pasterns of the horses were scored for lesion severity and sampled once a month for twelve consecutive months. Relationships among lesion severity, skin microbiota, and meteorological factors were examined.
Key Findings
EPD lesions appeared to worsen in autumn and the beginning of spring, but the relationship between lesion severity and precipitation wasn’t clearly evident.
The microbial diversity (alpha diversity) seemed to decrease in the affected pasterns, while beta diversity analyses showed differences in bacterial community structures between the affected and unaffected pasterns, becoming more pronounced with higher EPD scores.
Meteorological conditions exerted significant influence on the bacterial composition more in the affected pasterns than in the unaffected ones.
Conclusions and Implications
This research provides initial observations on the connections between EPD lesion severity, weather factors and bacteria on the skin.
Due to the limited sample size, the study could not provide definitive conclusions about these relationships.
Further research is needed to better understand the environmental factors and the role of bacteria in this multifactorial ailment (EPD).
Cite This Article
APA
Kaiser-Thom S, Hilty M, Ramseyer A, Epper P, Gerber V.
(2021).
The relationship between equine pastern dermatitis, meteorological factors, and the skin microbiota.
Vet Dermatol, 33(2), 165-e48.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.13045
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, Bern, 3012, Switzerland.
Hilty, Markus
Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 51, Bern, 3010, Switzerland.
Ramseyer, Alessandra
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, Bern, 3012, Switzerland.
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Les Longs-Prés, Avenches, 1580, Switzerland.
Epper, Pascale
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, Bern, 3012, Switzerland.
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Les Longs-Prés, Avenches, 1580, Switzerland.
Gerber, Vinzenz
Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, Bern, 3012, Switzerland.
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