Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Enterococcus durans infection linked to diarrhea in Thoroughbred foals
By Williams, Natasha J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2022·Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Enterococcus durans infection and diarrhea in Thoroughbred foals.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Seven Thoroughbred foals developed diarrhea shortly after birth, and five of these were found to be infected with Enterococcus durans, a type of bacteria. This infection was linked to their mothers, as two of the infected foals had broodmares that also tested positive for the bacteria. The study suggests that the bacteria can spread between foals, highlighting the importance of good hygiene practices on breeding farms to prevent outbreaks. Enhanced biosecurity measures could help reduce the risk of diarrhea caused by this infection in foals.
People also search for: foal diarrhea treatment · Enterococcus durans in foals · Thoroughbred foal health issues
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diarrhea remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal foals, and correct identification of etiologic agents is essential for effective disease management. OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between diarrhea and detection of Enterococcus durans or other enteropathogens in neonatal foals on 1 breeding farm in Kentucky, USA. ANIMALS: Fifty-nine Thoroughbred foals and their broodmares. METHODS: Prospective observational study. Study foals and broodmares were sampled and tested for E. durans and other enteropathogens during the first 10 days after foaling. The frequency of foals in which E. durans or other enteropathogens was compared between foals with or without diarrhea. RESULTS: Seven of 59 foals developed diarrhea. The frequency of foals with E. durans infection was higher in foals with diarrhea 5/7 (71%), compared to foals without diarrhea 0/51 (0%; P < .01). Detection of E. durans in foals was associated with detection of E. durans in broodmares; in 2/7 (29%) foals with diarrhea, the 2 broodmares tested positive for E. durans, and, in 51/51 (100%) foals without diarrhea, all broodmares tested negative to E. durans (P = .01). Based on the spatial and temporal distribution of foals with diarrhea, 5 of 6 additional cases of diarrhea were attributed to lateral transmission of E. durans infection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Detection of E. durans was associated with diarrhea in foals. Implementation of enhanced biosecurity measures might mitigate disease transmission associated with E. durans infection in foals.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36285839/