The Equine Faecal Microbiota of Healthy Horses and Ponies in The Netherlands:Impact of Host and Environmental Factors

Several studies have described the faecal microbiota of horses and the factors that influence its composition, but the variation in results is substantial. This study aimed to investigate the microbiota composition in healthy equids in The Netherlands under standard housing and management conditions and to evaluate the effect of age, gender, horse type, diet, pasture access, the season of sampling and location on it. Spontaneously produced faecal samples were collected from the stall floor of 79 healthy horses and ponies at two farms. The validity of this sampling technique was evaluated in a small pilot study including five ponies showing that the microbiota composition of faecal samples collected up to 6 h after spontaneous defaecation was similar to that of the samples collected rectally. After DNA extraction, Illumina Miseq 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to determine microbiota composition. The effect of host and environmental factors on microbiota composition were determined using several techniques (NMDS, PERMANOVA, DESeq2). Bacteroidetes was the largest phylum found in the faecal microbiota (50.1%), followed by Firmicutes (28.4%). Alpha-diversity and richness decreased significantly with increasing age. Location, age, season, horse type and pasture access had a significant effect on beta-diversity. The current study provides important baseline information on variation in faecal microbiota in healthy horses and ponies under standard housing and management conditions. These results indicate that faecal microbiota composition is affected by several horse-related and environment-related factors, and these factors should be considered in future studies of the equine faecal microbiota

Free faecal water: What do we know and can equine faecal microbiota transplantation be used to manage this issue?

Free Faecal Water (FFW) is a condition recognised in horses. Horses with this condition defaecate normal faeces but before, after, or during defaecation (or sometimes even independently of defaecation) faecal water runs out of the anus (Kienzle et al. 2016). This condition is also often referred to as Faecal Water Syndrome or Free Faecal Liquid. Cases are normally isolated, with only one horse from a group or stable yard being affected. In general, horses often seem to be in good general health and do not appear to be affected negatively by the condition. However, FFW can be a real management issue to the owner who is involved in the daily care of the horse. For example, daily cleaning of the tail and legs of the horse may be required depending on frequency and amount of the faecal water produced. In some cases, the faecal water can cause skin irritation and skin lesions, subsequently affecting the horse’s welfare. FFW is recognized in horses of all breeds, including warm bloods and painted horses. No official information is available on prevalence of FFW, but the condition is seen frequently by equine veterinarians in Western Europe. Unfortunately, very little information on FFW is published (Ertelt and Gehlen 2015; Kienzle et al. 2016; Valle et al. 2013). Many different causes have been implicated in the development of FFW (see below), and several treatment options for FFW have been suggested or applied by equine practitioners. The limited published information on FFW prevents evidence-based conclusions with respect to its aetiology and the objective evaluation of treatment. This paper provides an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the aetiology and potential management and treatment options associated with FFW. This paper was written as a starting point for a multidisciplinary discussion at the 9th European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress. The paper includes empirical information from the authors in terms of dealing with FFW cases, as well as some preliminary results of their clinical studies

The Other Press, October 28, 1982

Detailed overview of the classification of the study population by OGTT results, and for enteral biopsy and rectal palpation findings. (PDF 250 kb

Fighting antimicrobial resistance in foal sepsis: Does the gut conspire against us?

Sepsis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection in neonatal foals. In this thesis we have shown that correct antimicrobial treatment has a positive effect on survival in foals with sepsis. In important groups of bacteria that cause sepsis in foals, we observed emergence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial drugs over time. Furthermore, hospitalized foals are at risk for development of healthcare-associated infections. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacteria that cause these infections are unpredictable, making these infections challenging to treat. Strict hygiene protocols are necessary and repeated bacteriological cultures (including susceptibility testing) are advised in hospitalized foals to identify infections at an early stage. The microorganisms in the gut (the gut microbiota) play an important role in equine health. Location, age, season, horse type and pasture access affect the composition of the gut microbiota in healthy horses. Oral treatment with antimicrobials disturbs the gut microbiota. A gradual recovery was observed within two weeks; however, significant differences could still be detected six months later. Antimicrobial treatment also increased the presence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the faeces. Some of these were still excreted in high numbers six months later. Horses might therefore be a potential reservoir of resistant bacteria and could form a risk to animal and human health. Judicious antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine is important to prevent development and spread of antimicrobial resistance

Fighting antimicrobial resistance in foal sepsis: Does the gut conspire against us?

Sepsis is a potentially fatal bacterial infection in neonatal foals. In this thesis we have shown that correct antimicrobial treatment has a positive effect on survival in foals with sepsis. In important groups of bacteria that cause sepsis in foals, we observed emergence of resistance to commonly used antimicrobial drugs over time. Furthermore, hospitalized foals are at risk for development of healthcare-associated infections. The antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of the bacteria that cause these infections are unpredictable, making these infections challenging to treat. Strict hygiene protocols are necessary and repeated bacteriological cultures (including susceptibility testing) are advised in hospitalized foals to identify infections at an early stage. The microorganisms in the gut (the gut microbiota) play an important role in equine health. Location, age, season, horse type and pasture access affect the composition of the gut microbiota in healthy horses. Oral treatment with antimicrobials disturbs the gut microbiota. A gradual recovery was observed within two weeks; however, significant differences could still be detected six months later. Antimicrobial treatment also increased the presence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the faeces. Some of these were still excreted in high numbers six months later. Horses might therefore be a potential reservoir of resistant bacteria and could form a risk to animal and human health. Judicious antimicrobial use in veterinary medicine is important to prevent development and spread of antimicrobial resistance

Systemic antimicrobial therapy in foals

Antimicrobial agents are commonly used in neonatal foals for the treatment or prevention of sepsis. However, due to concerns about the development of antimicrobial resistance and increasing pressure on veterinarians to rationalise antimicrobial use, we should be trying to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobials. This article reviews many of the important considerations when selecting an antimicrobial for use in neonatal foals. Firstly, we consider general differences in neonatal pharmacology and physiology. Secondly, we review common antimicrobial drugs and their indications. Finally, we review antimicrobial stewardship

Systemic antimicrobial therapy in foals

Antimicrobial agents are commonly used in neonatal foals for the treatment or prevention of sepsis. However, due to concerns about the development of antimicrobial resistance and increasing pressure on veterinarians to rationalise antimicrobial use, we should be trying to reduce the unnecessary use of antimicrobials. This article reviews many of the important considerations when selecting an antimicrobial for use in neonatal foals. Firstly, we consider general differences in neonatal pharmacology and physiology. Secondly, we review common antimicrobial drugs and their indications. Finally, we review antimicrobial stewardship