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PloS one2018; 13(11); e0206989; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206989

Use of next generation sequencing to investigate the microbiota of experimentally induced wounds and the effect of bandaging in horses.

Abstract: To use next generation sequencing to characterize the microbiota of horses during healing of skin wounds in two anatomical locations (body and limb) known to present different healing patterns; and to investigate the impact of bandaging on bacterial communities of skin wounds located on the limbs of horses. Full-thickness skin wounds were created on the distal extremity of both thoracic limbs and on one lateral mid-thoracic wall of four healthy horses. Limb wounds were randomly assigned to bandaging or not. A full-thickness sample was collected with a biopsy punch from intact thorax and limb skin (T0) and from the margin of one wound per site (thorax, unbandaged limb, bandaged limb) 1 week (T1) and 2 weeks (T2) postoperatively, and at full healing (T3). Thoracic skin samples obtained from three healthy horses were included in the analysis as controls. Anatomic location (thorax vs. limb) significantly influenced bacterial composition of equine skin and healing wounds. Fusobacterium and Actinobacillus were strongly associated with limb wounds during the initial phases of healing. Bandaging had a significant impact on the microbiota during the healing process. The skin microbiota after healing was more similar to samples from controls, demonstrating the resilience and stability of the environment. Equine skin microbiota is a rich and stable environment that is disturbed by wounding, but returns to its previous stage after full healing. Anatomic location significantly influences bacterial composition of the equine skin during wound healing. Bandaging has a significant impact on the skin microbiota of horses during the healing process. Results of this study provide new insight for a better understanding of the contribution of bacteria to wound healing in horses and may facilitate the future development of therapeutic strategies using commensal bacteria.
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Publication Date: 2018-11-26 PubMed ID: 30475922PubMed Central: PMC6261015DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206989Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

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 research article investigates the impact of wounding and bandaging on the skin microbiota of horses, and how these factors vary depending on the anatomical location of the wound.

Overview of the Research

  • This research used next generation sequencing to characterise the microbiota (bacterial communities) of horses during the healing process of skin wounds at two different locations, the body and limb. These two places are known to have different healing patterns.
  • The study included creating full-thickness skin wounds on the limbs and mid-thoracic wall of four healthy horses. Some limb wounds were bandaged, while some were left as is.
  • Full-thickness biopsy samples were then collected from intact skin and from the margin of one wound per site at different timeframes- postoperatively after 1 week, 2 weeks and at full healing.
  • The thoracic skin samples of three healthy horses were also included as control in the study.

Anatomical Location and Bacterial Composition

  • The research found that the anatomical location of the wound (thorax vs. limb) significantly influenced the bacterial composition of the equine skin and healing wounds.
  • Fusobacterium and Actinobacillus were found to be strongly associated with limb wounds during the initial phases of healing.

Impact of Bandaging

  • Bandaging of wounds also had a significant impact on the microbiota during the healing process, affecting the bacterial composition.
  • The skin microbiota after healing was found to be more similar to the samples from the control horses. This observation underlines the resilience and stability of the bacterial environment, confirming that it is disturbed by wounding but returns to its previous state after full healing.

Conclusions

  • The research concluded that the equine skin microbiota is a rich and stable environment that is affected by wounding, but reverts to its original state post healing. The location of the wound and bandaging also significantly impacts the bacterial composition of the equine skin during wound healing.
  • The findings could be instrumental in developing better therapeutic strategies using commensal bacteria, which could potentially enhance the wound healing process in horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Kamus LJ, Theoret C, Costa MC. (2018). Use of next generation sequencing to investigate the microbiota of experimentally induced wounds and the effect of bandaging in horses. PLoS One, 13(11), e0206989. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0206989

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 11
Pages: e0206989

Researcher Affiliations

Kamus, Louis J
  • Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Theoret, Christine
  • Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.
Costa, Marcio C
  • Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Q, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Actinobacillus / genetics
  • Actinobacillus / isolation & purification
  • Animals
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Bandages
  • DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Fusobacterium / genetics
  • Fusobacterium / isolation & purification
  • High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
  • Horses
  • Microbiota
  • Principal Component Analysis
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Skin / microbiology
  • Skin / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / microbiology
  • Skin Diseases / pathology
  • Skin Diseases / veterinary
  • Wounds and Injuries / microbiology
  • Wounds and Injuries / pathology
  • Wounds and Injuries / veterinary

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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Citations

This article has been cited 17 times.
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