Fecal microbiota changes associated with pathogenic and non-pathogenic diarrheas in foals

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Microbiology
• Equine Health

Background:

• Diarrhea is a significant threat to newborn foal welfare.
• Foal diarrhea can stem from pathogenic or non-pathogenic causes.
• Microbial gut composition may vary with diarrhea etiology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare fecal microbial populations in foals with pathogenic versus non-pathogenic diarrhea.
• To identify specific microbial differences associated with different diarrhea types in foals.

Main Methods:

• Fecal samples from foals with diarrhea were analyzed.
• Samples were classified as pathogenic or non-pathogenic using diagnostic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for common equine neonatal diarrhea pathogens.
• Bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing (V4 domain) was performed to assess microbial diversity and composition.

Main Results:

• Pathogenic samples were associated with Clostridium perfringens and/or Clostridioides difficile toxins.
• Significantly higher alpha diversity was observed in non-pathogenic diarrhea samples compared to pathogenic ones.
• Eight microbial families and eleven genera exhibited significant abundance differences between pathogenic and non-pathogenic groups.

Conclusions:

• Fecal microbial diversity differs between pathogenic and non-pathogenic diarrhea in foals.
• Specific microbial taxa are associated with pathogenic foal diarrhea.
• Understanding these microbial differences can aid in diagnosing and managing foal diarrhea.