The skin microbiota in equine pastern dermatitis: a case-control study of horses in Switzerland.
Abstract: Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD), a multifactorial syndrome, manifests as skin lesions of variable severity in the pastern area. Despite the widespread use of antibacterial therapy for treating this condition, little is known about the contributing bacteria. Objective: To investigate the bacterial skin microbiota in EPD-affected and unaffected (control) pasterns. Methods: Case-control study with 80 client-owned horses; each with at least one EPD-affected and one control pastern. Methods: Horses were grouped by the form of EPD (mild, exudative or proliferative), the assigned severity grade and type of pretreatment (disinfectant, topical antibacterial or no antibacterial pretreatment). Skin swabs were obtained, and the microbiota composition was compared between the groups. Results: Bacterial alpha diversity was reduced in affected pasterns (P < 0.001) and this reduction was significantly associated with the EPD forms (P < 0.001), and not with the type of pretreatment (P > 0.14). Analyses of beta-diversity confirmed a disordering of the skin microbiota (P = 0.004) in affected versus control pasterns, that was particularly profound in more severe lesions. The type of pretreatment was not significantly associated with this disordering. Four differentially abundant families were detected, of which Staphylococcaceae was the most distinct. The relative abundance of staphylococci was significantly increased in affected pasterns (P = 0.011), particularly in those that had received antibacterial treatment previously. Conclusions: Changes in the microbiota are associated with the EPD form or severity of lesions. The role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of EPD as well as the propriety and consequences of antibacterial treatment should therefore be further investigated. Background: La dermatite des paturons équine (EPD) est un syndrome multifactoriel qui se manifeste par des lésions cutanées de sévérité variable du paturon. Malgré l’utilisation répandue d’antibiotiques pour le traitement, on en sait peu sur le rôle des bactéries. HYPOTHÈSES/OBJECTIFS: Etudier le microbiote bactérien cutané des paturons atteints de EPD et de contrôles sains. Unassigned: Une étude contrôlées avec 80 chevaux de propriétaires ; chacun avec au moins un paturon atteint d’EPD et un paturon sain. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODE: Les chevaux ont été groupés selon la forme d’EPD (modérée, exsudative ou proliférative) le grade de sévérité et le type de prétraitement (désinfectant, antibiotique topique ou pas d’antibactérien). Des écouvillons cutanés ont été obtenus et la composition du microbiote a été comparée entre les groupes. RÉSULTATS: La diversité bactérienne alpha était réduite sur les paturons atteints (P < 0.001) et cette réduction était significativement associée à la forme de l’EPD (P < 0.001) et pas avec le type de prétraitement (P > 0.14). Les analyses de diversité béta ont confirmé un désordre du microbiote cutané (P = 0.004) des paturons atteints versus contrôles, ce qui était particulièrement marqué pour les lésions les plus sévères. Le type de prétraitement n’était pas significativement associé avec ces altérations. Quatre familles différentes sont été détectées parmi lesquelles, Staphylococcaceae était la plus importante. La relative abondance de staphylococci était significativement augmentée sur les paturons atteints (P = 0.011), en particulier chez ceux qui ont reçu un prétraitement antibactérien. Unassigned: Les changements du microbiote sont associés avec la forme d’EPD ou la sévérité des lésions. Le rôle des bactéries dans la pathogénie de l’EPD aussi bien que les propriétés et les conséquences d’un traitement antibactérien, devraient ainsi être plus étudiés. INTRODUCCIÓN: la dermatitis de la cuartilla equina (EPD), un síndrome multifactorial, se manifiesta como lesiones cutáneas de gravedad variable en el área de la cuartilla. A pesar del uso generalizado de la terapia antibacteriana para tratar esta afección, se sabe poco acerca de las bacterias contribuyentes. HIPÓTESIS/OBJETIVOS: Investigar la microbiota bacteriana de la piel en metacarpos afectados y no afectados (control) por EPD. ANIMALES: estudio de casos y controles con 80 caballos de propietarios particulares; cada uno con al menos una cuartilla afectada por EPD y una cuartilla de control. MÉTODOS Y MATERIALES: los caballos se agruparon según la forma de EPD (leve, exudativa o proliferativa), el grado de gravedad asignado y el tipo de pretratamiento (desinfectante, antibacteriano tópico o sin pretratamiento antibacteriano). Se obtuvieron hisopos de piel y se comparó la composición de la microbiota entre los grupos. RESULTADOS: la diversidad alfa bacteriana se redujo en los metacarpos afectados (P<0,001) y esta reducción se asoció significativamente con las formas de EPD (P<0,001) y no con el tipo de pretratamiento (P> 0,14). Los análisis de la diversidad beta confirmaron un trastorno de la microbiota de la piel (P = 0,004) en los metacarpos afectados frente al control, que fue particularmente intenso en las lesiones más graves. El tipo de pretratamiento no se asoció significativamente con este trastorno. Se detectaron cuatro familias diferencialmente abundantes, de las cuales Staphylococcaceae fue la más distintiva. La abundancia relativa de estafilococos aumentó significativamente en los metacarpos afectados (P = 0.011), particularmente en aquellos que habían recibido tratamiento antibacteriano previamente. CONCLUSIONES Y RELEVANCIA CLÍNICA: los cambios en la microbiota están asociados con la forma de EPD o la gravedad de las lesiones. Por lo tanto, el papel de las bacterias en la patogenia de la EPD, así como la propiedad y las consecuencias del tratamiento antibacteriano, deben investigarse más a fondo. Unassigned: Die equine Pastern Dermatitis (Mauke), ein multifaktorielles Syndrom, manifestiert sich in Form von Hautveränderungen von unterschiedlichem Ausmaß in der Fesselbeuge. Trotz der weitverbreiteten Verwendung antibakterieller Therapie zur Behandlung dieses Zustandes, ist wenig bekannt über die beteiligten Bakterien. Unassigned: Eine Untersuchung der bakteriellen Mikrobiota der Haut bei EPD-betroffenen und nicht-betroffenen (Kontroll) Fesselbeugen. Unassigned: Eine Fallkontrollstudie mit 80 Pferden in Privatbesitz; ein jedes mit mindestens einer EPD-betroffenen und einer Kontroll-Fesselbeuge. Unassigned: Die Pferde wurden nach der Form der EPD in Gruppen eingeteilt (mild, exsudativ oder proliferativ), dem zugeteilten Schweregrad und der Art der Vorbehandlung (Desinfektionsmittel, oberflächliche antibakterielle oder nicht-antibakterielle Vorbehandlung). Es wurden Hauttupfer genommen und die Zusammensetzung der Mikrobiota zwischen den Gruppen verglichen. Unassigned: Die bakterielle Alpha Diversität war in den betroffenen Fesselbeugen reduziert (P < 0,001) und diese Reduzierung stand signifikant im Zusammenhang mit den EPD Formen (P < 0,001) und nicht mit der Art der Vorbehandlung (P > 0,14). Die Analyse der Beta-Diversität bestätigte ein Durcheinander der Mikrobiota der Haut (P = 0,004) in betroffenen versus den Kontroll Fesselbeugen, was in manchen schweren Fällen besonders auffällig war. Die Art der Vorbehandlung stand nicht signifikant im Zusammenhang mit diesem Durcheinander. Es wurden vier verschieden häufig auftretende Familien gefunden, von denen Staphylokokken die häufigsten waren. Die relative Häufigkeit der Staphylokokken war in den betroffenen Fesselbeugen signifikant erhöht (P = 0,011), vor allem bei denen, die vorher bereits eine antibakterielle Behandlung erhalten hatten. Unassigned: Veränderungen der Mikrobiota standen im Zusammenhang mit der EPD Form oder der Schwere der Veränderungen. Die Rolle der Bakterien bei der Pathogenese der EPD sowie die Korrektheit und die Konsequenzen der antibakteriellen Behandlung sollten daher in Zukunft noch untersucht werden. 背景: 多因子症候群の一つである馬の繋皸 (EPD) は、繋部に様々な重症度の皮膚病変を現す。馬の繋皸治療には抗菌療法が広く用いられているが、原因となる細菌についてはほとんど知られていない。 仮説・目的: 本研究の目的は、EPDに罹患および罹患していない (コントロール) 繋部における細菌性皮膚微生物叢を調査することであった。 被験動物: クライアント所有馬80頭を対象としたケースコントロール研究で、それぞれ少なくとも1頭のEPD罹患馬および1頭の対照馬を対象とした。 材料と方法: 馬はEPDの形態 (軽度、滲出性、増殖性) 、割り当てられた重症度、前治療の種類 (消毒剤、局所抗菌剤、抗菌剤前処理なし) によってグループ分けされた。また、皮膚スワブを採取し、グループ間の微生物叢組成を比較した。 結果: 細菌のα多様性は罹患繋部で減少し (P < 0.001) 、この減少はEPD形態と有意に関連し (P < 0.001) 、前治療の種類とは関連しなかった (P > 0.14) 。β多様性の解析では、患肢および対照肢で皮膚微生物叢の乱れ (P = 0.004) が確認され、特に重度の病変で顕著であった。前治療の種類は、この乱れとは有意に関連していなかった。4つの異なるファミリーが検出され、中でもStaphylococcaceaeが最も特徴的であった。Staphylococciの相対的な存在量は、罹患繋部で有意に増加し (P = 0.011) 、特に以前に抗菌治療を受けたものでは顕著であった。 結論と臨床的関連性: 微生物相の変化はEPDの形態または病変の重症度と関連している。したがって、EPDの病因における細菌の役割や、抗菌剤治療の妥当性および結果について、さらに調査する必要がある。. 背景: 马骹皮炎(EPD)是一种多因素综合征, 表现为不同严重程度的骹部皮肤病变。尽管抗菌治疗被广泛用于治疗这种疾病, 但对相关细菌知之甚少。 假设/目的: 研究EPD的发病和未发病 (对照) 骹的细菌皮肤微生物群。 动物: 病例对照研究, 80匹私家马; 每匹马至少有1处骹部发生和未发生EPD。 方法和材料: 马按EPD形式 (轻度、渗出性或增生性) 、指定的严重程度等级和前期治疗类型 (消毒剂、外部抗菌或无抗菌治疗) 分组。留取皮肤拭子, 比较各组菌群组成。 结果: 发病骹的细菌α多样性降低(P<0.001), 这种降低与EPD形式显著相关(P<0.001), 而与治疗类型无关(P>0.14)。β多样性分析证实, 与对照骹相比, 发病骹的皮肤微生物群紊乱(P = 0.004), 在更严重的病变中尤其明显。治疗类型与这种紊乱无显著相关性。检测到丰度不同的4个科, 其中葡萄球菌科最明显。发病骹中葡萄球菌的相对丰度显著增加(P = 0.011), 特别是既往接受过抗菌治疗的骹。 结论和临床相关性: 微生物群的变化与EPD形式或病变严重程度相关。因此应进一步研究细菌在EPD发病机制中的作用,以及抗菌治疗的适当性和后果。. Unassigned: A dermatite de quartela equina (DQE), uma síndrome multifatorial, manifesta-se como lesões cutâneas de gravidade variável na região da quartela. Apesar do amplo uso de antibioticoterapia para o tratamento desta condição, pouco se sabe sobre as bactérias que contribuem. HIPÓTESE/OBJETIVOS: Investigar a microbiota bacteriana quartelas DQE-afetadas e quartelas controle. Unassigned: Estudo caso-controle com 80 cavalos de tutores; cada um com ao menos uma quartela DQE-afetada e uma quartela controle. MÉTODOS E MATÉRIAS: Os cavalos foram agrupados de acordo com a sua forma de DQE (leve, exsudativa ou proliferativa), o grau de severidade atribuído e o tipo de pré-tratamento (desinfectante, antibacteriano tópico ou sem pré-tratamento antibacteriano). Obteve-se swabs cutâneos, e a composição da microbiota foi comparada entre os grupos. Results: A alphadiversidade bacteriana estava reduzida nas quartelas afetadas (P < 0,001) e esta redução foi significativamente associada com as formas de DQE (P < 0,001), não ao tipo de pré-tratamento (P > 0,14). As análises de betadiversidade confirmaram o distúrbio da microbiota cutânea (P = 0,004) nas quartelas afetadas versus controle, que foi particularmente mais intensa nas lesões mais severas. O tipo de pré-tratamento não estava associado com esse distúrbio. Quatro famílias diferentemente abundantes foram encontradas, das quais a Staphylococcaceae foi a mais distinta. A abundância relativa de estafilococos estava significativamente aumentada nas quartelas afetadas (P = 0,011), particularmente naquelas que receberam antibacterianos previamente. CONCLUSÕES E IMPORTÂNCIA CLÍNICA: As alterações na microbiota estão associadas à forma da DQE e à severidade das lesões. A participação das bactérias na patogênese da DQE e as propriedades e consequências do tratamento antibacteriano devem ser investigadas futuramente.
© 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Dermatology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of ESVD and ACVD.
Publication Date: 2021-04-08 PubMed ID: 33830562PubMed Central: PMC9290916DOI: 10.1111/vde.12955Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research studies the bacterial skin microbiota in horses affected by Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD), a common multifactorial disorder that results in various skin lesions. It analyzes the diversity and consistency of bacteria on affected and unaffected areas and investigates their relationship with the severity and form of the disorder.
Methodology
- The study involves a case-control approach on 80 privately-owned horses, each presenting with at least one EPD affected and one unaffected area.
- The horses are categorized based on the form of EPD (mild, exudative, or proliferative), the level of severity observed, and the type of prior treatment received (disinfectant, topical antibacterial, or lacking antibacterial pre-treatment).
- Through skin swabs, the researchers examined the composition of the microbiota, which account for bacterial diversity in the skin and compared these between the groups.
Findings
- The results showed bacterial alpha diversity reduced in affected areas (P<0.001), significantly correlating with the forms of EPD (P0.14).
- The assessment of beta-diversity (comparing species diversity between ecosystems) showed a disruption to the skin microbiota (P=0.004) in affected areas versus control, particularly in more severe lesions.
- The abundance of four different bacterial families was noted, with Staphylococcaceae being the most distinct family found.
- There was a significant increase in the relative abundance of Staphylococci, especially in areas that had previously undergone antibacterial treatment, suggesting a possible resistance or alteration of the skin due to the treatment used.
Conclusions
- The research concludes that changes in microbiota are associated with the form of EPD or the severity of lesions, suggesting a potential role of bacteria in the pathogenesis of this disorder.
- The results also underline the need for further investigation into the benefits and consequences of antibacterial treatments given the noted increase in certain bacteria present in previously treated areas.
Cite This Article
APA
Kaiser-Thom S, Hilty M, Axiak S, Gerber V.
(2021).
The skin microbiota in equine pastern dermatitis: a case-control study of horses in Switzerland.
Vet Dermatol, 32(6), 646-e172.
https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12955 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
- Institute for Infectious Diseases, University of Bern, Friedbühlstrasse 51, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
- Clinical Anaesthesiology, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Länggassstrasse 124, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, and Agroscope, Länggassstrasse 124, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Case-Control Studies
- Dermatitis / epidemiology
- Dermatitis / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Microbiota
- Switzerland / epidemiology
Grant Funding
- ISMEquine Research Fund
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