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Related Experiment Videos

Experimental Clostridium difficile enterocolitis in foals.

Luis G Arroyo1, J Scott Weese, Henry R Staempfli

  • 1Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada. larroyo@uoguelph.ca

Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
|November 2, 2004
PubMed
Summary
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Clostridium difficile infection causes diarrhea in foals. This study developed a reliable animal model for C. difficile-associated diarrhea in foals, confirming its causal role and aiding future research.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Equine Health

Background:

  • Clostridium difficile is empirically linked to colitis in horses, but a causal relationship remains unconfirmed.
  • A validated animal model is needed to study C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in foals.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a reproducible model of C. difficile-associated diarrhea in foals with normal passive immunity.
  • To fulfill Koch's postulates for C. difficile in equine cases.

Main Methods:

  • Nine 1-day-old foals were inoculated with C. difficile spores or vegetative cells.
  • Some foals received clindamycin to disrupt gut flora; others received higher doses of vegetative cells.
  • Fecal samples were analyzed for C. difficile, toxins A/B, and enteropathogens.

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Main Results:

  • 8 out of 9 foals exhibited clinical signs ranging from mild discomfort to severe diarrhea.
  • Foals challenged with vegetative cells developed more severe diarrhea than those challenged with spores.
  • C. difficile and its toxins (A/B) were detected in all inoculated foals' feces.

Conclusions:

  • Both C. difficile spores and vegetative cells can colonize the foal gut, produce toxins, and cause diarrhea.
  • This study successfully established a model for C. difficile-associated diarrhea in foals.
  • The model allows for consistent reproduction of the disease for future investigations.