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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
Assessment of Intestinal Transcytosis of Neonatal Escherichia coli Bacteremia Isolates
Published on: February 17, 2023
Bacteremia in equine neonatal diarrhea: a retrospective study (1990-2007)
A R Hollis1, P A Wilkins, J E Palmer
1New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA 19384, USA.
Background:
Bacteremia in sick foals is associated with survival, but the association of bacteremia and diarrhea is not reported.
Hypothesis:
Neonatal foals with diarrhea will commonly be bacteremic.
Animals:
One hundred and thirty-three neonatal foals.
Methods:
Records of all foals <30 days of age presenting with diarrhea between January 1990 and September 2007 were reviewed.
Results:
Sixty-six of 133 foals (50%) were bacteremic at admission, with 75 isolates from the 66 samples. The blood culture from a further 18 foals (13.5%) grew coryneform bacteria. Nine foals (6.8%) had 2 or more organisms grown on blood culture. One foal had 5 different organisms, interpreted as contamination. Forty-eight foals (36%) had no growth on admission blood cultures. No cultures isolated fungal organisms. Excluding coryneform bacteria, 43 isolates (57%) were Gram-negative organisms and 32 isolates (43%) were Gram-positive organisms. The most common isolate was Enterococcus spp. (22 isolates, 29%), followed by Pantoea agglomerans (13 isolates, 17%). IgG concentration at admission was not associated with blood culture status. Blood culture status was not associated with survival to hospital discharge.
Conclusions And Clinical Importance:
Bacteremia is common in neonatal foals with diarrhea. Decisions regarding antimicrobial selection should be made with these differences in mind.
