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Clostridium difficile infection in horses: a review
1California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, San Bernardino Branch, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 92408, USA.
Veterinary Microbiology
|May 7, 2013
Summary
Clostridium difficile causes diarrhea and enterocolitis in horses, particularly after hospitalization or antibiotic use. Diagnosis relies on detecting toxins A or B in feces.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Equine Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
Background:
- Clostridium difficile is a significant cause of diarrhea and enterocolitis in horses of all ages.
- Transmission occurs via fecal-oral route from contaminated sources like feces, soil, and hospitals.
- Hospitalization and antibiotic treatment are key risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in adult horses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of Clostridium difficile infections in horses.
- To highlight diagnostic criteria and risk factors for CDAD.
- To identify areas for future research in pathogenesis, control, and prevention.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of Clostridium difficile in horses.
- Analysis of risk factors, transmission routes, and clinical signs.
- Evaluation of diagnostic methods, including toxin detection and bacterial isolation.
Main Results:
- Clostridium difficile spores are infectious units transmitted via fecal-oral route.
- Antibiotics like erythromycin and clindamycin are frequently associated with CDAD.
- Clinical signs are non-specific; toxin detection (Toxin A, Toxin B) is the most reliable diagnostic method.
- Lesion distribution varies with age, affecting the small intestine in foals and the colon/cecum in older horses.
Conclusions:
- Clostridium difficile is an important enteric pathogen in horses.
- Accurate diagnosis relies on detecting specific toxins.
- Further research is needed on pathogenesis, reservoirs, and control strategies, including vaccines.
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