Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
08:07
Equine Enteric Glial Culture and Application to the Study of a Neural Inflammatory Mechanism in Equine Colic
Published on: October 4, 2024
Equine colitis X associated with infection by Clostridium difficile NAP1/027
J Glenn Songer1, H T Trinh, Sharon M Dial
1Department of Veterinary Science and Microbiology, 1117 East Lowell Street, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. gsonger@u.arizona.edu
Summary
A severe equine colic case was linked to Clostridium difficile ribotype 027, an epidemic strain in humans. This finding highlights potential zoonotic risks and the severity of C. difficile-associated disease in horses.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Equine Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Colic is a common and serious condition in horses.
- Clostridium difficile is an opportunistic pathogen known to cause gastrointestinal disease in various species.
Observation:
- A 14-year-old Quarter Horse presented with acute colic and was euthanized due to lack of treatment response.
- Necropsy revealed severe congestion, edema, and thickening of the cecal and colonic walls, with extensive submucosal hemorrhage.
- Mononuclear cell infiltration was noted in the mucosal lamina propria.
Findings:
- Clostridium difficile toxins A and B were detected in the affected equine intestines.
- The isolated C. difficile strains were identified as North American pulsed-field gel electrophoresis type 1, polymerase chain reaction ribotype 027, and toxinotype III.
- Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of binary toxin genes and an 18-bp deletion in the tcdC gene, characteristic of the hypervirulent human epidemic strain.
Implications:
- This case suggests that the hypervirulent C. difficile ribotype 027, typically associated with severe human infections, can cause peracute typhlocolitis in horses.
- The findings raise concerns about potential zoonotic transmission and the need for enhanced surveillance of this specific C. difficile strain in equine populations.
- This diagnosis, termed typhlocolitis, mirrors lesions seen in colitis X, suggesting C. difficile 027 as a potential causative agent.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...
01:18Bacterial Gastroenteritis
Bacterial gastroenteritis, characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and vomiting, is often caused by ingestion of contaminated food or water and is frequently associated with pathogenic Escherichia coli strains. These microbes exploit two principal mechanisms to inflict disease.Shiga toxin–producing E. coli, also referred to as STEC—notably O157:H7—release Shiga toxins that target ribosomes, blocking protein synthesis. The B subunit of the toxin binds the host glycolipid receptor...
01:27Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis
Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, relapsing form of inflammatory bowel disease characterized by segmental, transmural inflammation that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract. Its pathogenesis arises from a combination of genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, epithelial barrier dysfunction, and immune dysregulation. Together, these factors lead to an exaggerated immune response against components of the gut microbiome.Genetic and Environmental InfluencesMultiple genetic...
01:28Amebiasis
Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...