Infectious agents detected in the feces of diarrheic foals: a retrospective study of 233 cases (2003-2008).
Authors: Frederick J, Giguère S, Sanchez L C
Journal: Journal of veterinary internal medicine
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Infectious Agents in Diarrheic Foals Rotavirus and *Clostridium perfringens* emerged as the leading infectious culprits in hospitalised diarrheic foals, detected in 20% and 18% of cases respectively, though an infectious agent was identified in only 55% of the 233 foals examined over a six-year period. Age significantly influenced which pathogens were likely to be present: foals under one month were substantially more susceptible to *C. perfringens* (15-fold higher odds) and frequently had negative diagnostic results, whilst older foals showed markedly increased detection of rotavirus (13-fold higher odds), *Salmonella* species (2.6-fold), and parasites (23-fold). Notably, the type of pathogen identified—or indeed whether any pathogen was found—did not correlate with survival outcomes; 87% of affected foals recovered regardless of diagnostic findings. For practitioners managing diarrheic foals, these findings suggest that identifying a specific infectious agent may be less predictive of prognosis than previously assumed, and that age-stratified diagnostic approaches could help focus laboratory investigation on the most likely candidates whilst supporting early clinical intervention based on age-related risk patterns rather than waiting for pathogen identification alone.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Diarrhea in hospitalized foals has a good prognosis (87% survival) regardless of which pathogen is identified, so aggressive antimicrobial therapy should be considered carefully and tailored to the specific pathogen
- •Age-based pathogen patterns can guide initial diagnostic priorities: focus on C. perfringens in foals <1 month old and rotavirus/parasites in older foals, helping tailor testing and treatment decisions
- •In 45% of diarrheic foals, no infectious agent is identified, suggesting supportive care (fluids, electrolytes, nutritional support) rather than pathogen-specific treatment may be equally important to outcome
Key Findings
- •At least one infectious agent was detected in 122 of 233 foals (55%) with diarrhea
- •Rotavirus was the most common pathogen (20%), followed by C. perfringens (18%), Salmonella spp. (12%), and C. difficile (5%)
- •Foals <1 month of age were significantly more likely to test positive for C. perfringens (OR=15) while foals >1 month were more likely to have rotavirus (OR=13.3) and parasites (OR=23)
- •Overall survival was 87% (191 of 223 foals), and the type of infectious agent detected was not significantly associated with survival outcome