Duodenitis-Proximal Jejunitis in Horses After Experimental Administration of Clostridium difficile Toxins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) is an acute sporadic gastrointestinal disorder of horses of unknown cause.

Hypothesis/objectives

We hypothesize that Clostridium difficile toxins are involved in the pathogenesis of DPJ in horses. The objective of this study was to determine whether experimentally delivered C. difficile toxins cause clinical signs and histologic lesions similar to those of naturally occurring DPJ.

Animals

Six healthy mature mixed breed horses.

Methods

Experimental study: animal model of animal disease. Fasted horses were administered crude C. difficile toxins via gastroscopy and monitored for up to 48 hour. Blood was collected for complete blood cell count, biochemistry profile, and plasma fibrinogen assay, and abdominal fluid was

SUBMITTER: Arroyo LG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5259639 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature