Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland
Abstract Background Commensal bacterial and fungal flora of the conjunctival sac has been described in horses and other animals. The identification of commensal flora of the conjunctival sac may aid in the diagnosis of ocular inflammatory diseases, such as conjunctivitis or more severe ulcerative ke...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1598-6 |
| _version_ | 1819105169129865216 |
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| author | A. Zak N. Siwinska M. Slowikowska H. Borowicz K. Ploneczka – Janeczko P. Chorbinski A. Niedzwiedz |
| author_facet | A. Zak N. Siwinska M. Slowikowska H. Borowicz K. Ploneczka – Janeczko P. Chorbinski A. Niedzwiedz |
| author_sort | A. Zak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Commensal bacterial and fungal flora of the conjunctival sac has been described in horses and other animals. The identification of commensal flora of the conjunctival sac may aid in the diagnosis of ocular inflammatory diseases, such as conjunctivitis or more severe ulcerative keratitis, common in horses. Moreover, damage of ocular protective barriers may lead to an opportunistic infection. The study was carried out in Silesian horses kept at a single breeding center in South-western Poland, in order to limit any breed-dependant and climate-dependant variables affecting the results. Following an ophthalmic examination that revealed no abnormalities, sterile swabs were collected from conjunctival sac in 26 adult horses and 11 foals. The obtained swabs were subjected to bacterial culture testing. In case of Staphylococcus spp. isolation, susceptibility to methicillin was evaluated. Results Forty- three bacterial isolates, representing eleven genera of bacteria were cultured from 30 (81%) horses. Gram-positive bacteria were the dominant isolates (72%) (p < 0.001). The most commonly isolated Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., while Moraxella spp. were the most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria. There was no significant influence of sex and age on the frequency and type of microbial isolates. Conclusions Commensal flora is present in the conjunctival sac of healthy horses in Poland. Age does not affect the abundance and type of microbial isolates. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:17:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-77defb117a1a48c48d546ce40ab28a53 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T02:17:58Z |
| publishDate | 2018-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-77defb117a1a48c48d546ce40ab28a532022-12-21T18:42:14ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482018-08-011411610.1186/s12917-018-1598-6Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in PolandA. Zak0N. Siwinska1M. Slowikowska2H. Borowicz3K. Ploneczka – Janeczko4P. Chorbinski5A. Niedzwiedz6Department of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Epizootiology with Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Epizootiology with Clinic for Birds and Exotic Animals, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life SciencesAbstract Background Commensal bacterial and fungal flora of the conjunctival sac has been described in horses and other animals. The identification of commensal flora of the conjunctival sac may aid in the diagnosis of ocular inflammatory diseases, such as conjunctivitis or more severe ulcerative keratitis, common in horses. Moreover, damage of ocular protective barriers may lead to an opportunistic infection. The study was carried out in Silesian horses kept at a single breeding center in South-western Poland, in order to limit any breed-dependant and climate-dependant variables affecting the results. Following an ophthalmic examination that revealed no abnormalities, sterile swabs were collected from conjunctival sac in 26 adult horses and 11 foals. The obtained swabs were subjected to bacterial culture testing. In case of Staphylococcus spp. isolation, susceptibility to methicillin was evaluated. Results Forty- three bacterial isolates, representing eleven genera of bacteria were cultured from 30 (81%) horses. Gram-positive bacteria were the dominant isolates (72%) (p < 0.001). The most commonly isolated Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus spp., while Moraxella spp. were the most frequently isolated Gram-negative bacteria. There was no significant influence of sex and age on the frequency and type of microbial isolates. Conclusions Commensal flora is present in the conjunctival sac of healthy horses in Poland. Age does not affect the abundance and type of microbial isolates.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1598-6HorseConjunctival sacBacteriology |
| spellingShingle | A. Zak N. Siwinska M. Slowikowska H. Borowicz K. Ploneczka – Janeczko P. Chorbinski A. Niedzwiedz Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland BMC Veterinary Research Horse Conjunctival sac Bacteriology |
| title | Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland |
| title_full | Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland |
| title_fullStr | Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland |
| title_full_unstemmed | Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland |
| title_short | Conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy Silesian foals and adult horses in Poland |
| title_sort | conjunctival aerobic bacterial flora in healthy silesian foals and adult horses in poland |
| topic | Horse Conjunctival sac Bacteriology |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12917-018-1598-6 |
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