A microbiome analysis of equine peripheral dental caries using next generation sequencing.

Summary

# Editorial Summary Peripheral caries (PC)—a condition affecting approximately half of all UK horses—has historically been treated without a clear understanding of its microbial aetiology, largely because conventional culture methods cannot identify the majority of bacteria involved in oral disease. Borkent and colleagues employed next-generation sequencing to comprehensively characterise the bacterial communities associated with peripheral caries lesions, providing the first detailed molecular microbiological profile of this prevalent condition. Their work revealed a complex polymicrobial ecosystem within carious tissue that differs substantially from the healthy equine oral microbiome, identifying specific bacterial taxa implicated in caries development and progression. These findings have significant implications for farriers and veterinarians managing equine dental disease, potentially enabling more targeted preventative strategies and informing decisions about antimicrobial or probiotic interventions rather than relying on empirical approaches. Understanding the microbial signature of peripheral caries also provides a foundation for future research into risk factors, environmental triggers, and novel therapeutic approaches that address the underlying pathophysiology rather than simply the clinical presentation.

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Key Findings

• •Peripheral caries affects approximately 50% of UK horses but lacks comprehensive microbiological characterization
• •Next Generation Sequencing revealed complex oral bacterial communities in peripheral caries cases
• •Conventional culturing methods are inadequate for identifying the full oral microbiome due to unculturable bacteria

Conditions Studied

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