Population-based study of fecal shedding of Clostridium perfringens in broodmares and foals

Abstract

Clostridium perfringens was identified from the feces of all but 6 foals by 3 days of age and is likely part of the normal microflora of neonatal foals. Most isolates from broodmares and foals are C. perfringens type A; thus, the clinical relevance of culture results alone is questionable. Clostridium perfringens type C, which has been associated with neonatal enterocolitis, is rarely found in the feces of horses.

Effect of a Probiotic on Prevention of Diarrhea and Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens Shedding in Foals

“…The prevalence of 57% for fecal shedding of C. perfringens is similar to a previous study where a prevalence of 62% in 0‐ to 2‐month‐old foals was reported 21. Unlike with C. difficile , the prevalence did not decrease substantially at 6 weeks of age, which is consistent with a previous study where prevalence rates remained at 30% at 1–2 months of age 21…”

Diagnosis and treatment of non-infectious and infectious foal diarrhoea

“…The role of enterotoxin as a virulence factor in equine gastrointestinal disease remains controversial. Although accounting for only 10% of isolates from foals, enterotoxigenic strains were significantly associated with diarrhoea in one report (Netherwood et al 1998b) and enterotoxin was detected in 28% of foals with diarrhoea, while the toxin or isolates carrying its gene were identified in 0-2% of normal foals (Tillotson et al 2002, Weese et al 2001). Nevertheless, due to its infrequent presence it has been suggested that the toxin alone can not account for the overall association of C. perfringes with diarrhoea in foals (Netherwood et al 1998b).…”

“…The prevalence decreases with age, but the organism can still be found in 30-35% of brood mares and foals 1-2 months of age (Tillotson et al 2002). The organism is categorized into types A-E based on the expression of one or a combination of major lethal exotoxins.…”

“…Definite diagnosis is difficult as large numbers of C. perfringens can be isolated from healthy neonatal foals and no markers for pathogenic sub-population have been identified (Netherwood et al 1998a, Tillotson et al 2002 . Culture and subsequent genotyping of isolates may be helpful in identifying the presence of C. perfringens type C, the organism with the most certain association with severe clinical disease in neonatal foals (East et al 1998, Tillotson et al 2002.…”

“…While type A, including strains expressing the β2-toxin, can be isolated from a large percentage of healthy foals, type C appears to be rarely found in healthy animals (Tillotson et al 2002) and, if isolated from cases with enterocolitis, the organism is associated with severe disease and a high mortality (East et al 1998). Most reported cases of enterocolitis in neonatal foals associated with either C. perfringens type A or C describe severe, rapidly progressing, often haemorrhagic to necrotizing, enteritis and enterocolitis with marked systemic effects and frequently fatal outcome (Bueschel et al 1998 Howard-Martin et al 1986, Pearson et al 1986.…”