Enterococcus durans infection and diarrhea in Thoroughbred foals.
Authors: Williams Natasha J, Slovis Nathan M, Browne Nimet S, Troedsson Mats H T, Giguėre Steeve, Hernandez Jorge A
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
Neonatal foal diarrhoea remains a significant clinical challenge, yet aetiological identification of causative organisms is frequently incomplete, potentially compromising treatment efficacy. Williams and colleagues conducted a prospective observational study of 59 Thoroughbred foals and their dams on a Kentucky breeding farm, collecting faecal samples during the first 10 days post-partum to detect *Enterococcus durans* and other common enteropathogens. *E. durans* was identified in 71% (5/7) of foals presenting with diarrhoea but in none of the 51 clinically healthy foals (P <0.01), with statistically significant concordance between positive foal and dam cultures (P = 0.01); furthermore, temporal and spatial clustering of cases suggested lateral transmission between foals, accounting for at least five additional cases. The strong epidemiological association between *E. durans* detection and clinical diarrhoea, coupled with evidence of both vertical transmission from broodmares and horizontal transmission between foals, indicates this organism warrants consideration in your diagnostic and management protocols for diarrheic foals on breeding operations. Enhanced biosecurity measures—including isolation of affected foals, targeted hygiene protocols, and potentially mare screening during the periparturient period—may help reduce disease incidence and severity in susceptible neonatal populations.
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Practical Takeaways
- •E. durans should be considered a significant pathogen in neonatal foal diarrhea cases on breeding farms; implement targeted testing protocols for affected foals and their dams
- •Screen broodmares for E. durans status during the peripartum period, as maternal infection status strongly correlates with foal infection risk
- •Implement strict biosecurity protocols between affected and unaffected foal-mare pairs to prevent lateral transmission, particularly in the first 10 days postpartum
Key Findings
- •E. durans was detected in 71% (5/7) of foals with diarrhea compared to 0% (0/51) of foals without diarrhea (P < 0.01)
- •Detection of E. durans in foals was significantly associated with E. durans detection in their broodmares (P = 0.01)
- •Lateral transmission of E. durans infection accounted for 5 of 6 additional diarrhea cases based on spatial and temporal distribution patterns
- •Enhanced biosecurity measures may reduce disease transmission associated with E. durans infection in foals