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Influence of Salmonella status on the long‐term outcome of horses after colic surgery *
Author(s) -
Southwood Louise L.,
Lindborg Susan,
Myers Marc,
Aceto Helen W.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/vsu.12660
Subject(s) - medicine , hazard ratio , odds ratio , confidence interval , salmonella enterica , horse , proportional hazards model , salmonella , logistic regression , retrospective cohort study , surgery , paleontology , biology , bacteria , genetics
Objective To compare long‐term outcome of Salmonella ‐positive versus Salmonella ‐negative horses discharged from hospital after colic surgery. Study design Retrospective case‐control. Animals Horses discharged from the hospital after colic surgery. For each horse with positive culture for Salmonella enterica (SAL‐POS, n = 59), at least 2 horses testing negative for S. enterica (SAL‐NEG, n = 119) were enrolled. Methods Owners were interviewed via phone at least 12 months after surgery regarding: (1) complications after discharge from the hospital; (2) duration of survival; and (3) return to prior or intended use. Association between immediate postoperative clinical variables such as Salmonella status and long‐term measures of outcome was tested via ratios (odds ratio [OR]) and 95% confidence intervals. Data were analyzed for survival using a Cox proportional hazards model and for return to use using multivariable logistic regression. Results SAL‐POS horses had a higher OR of surgical site infection (2.7 [1.1‐6.9] P = .027) and weight loss (6.8 [1.8‐26.1] P = .002). At the time of follow‐up, there were 53/56 (95%) SAL‐POS and 99/118 (84%) SAL‐NEG horses alive. The final multivariable model for nonsurvival included postoperative colic (hazard ratio 7.6 [2.8‐19.2] P = .002) and the interaction between Salmonella status and duration of rectal temperature > 103°F postoperatively (SAL‐POS 1.04 [1.01‐1.07] and SAL‐NEG 1.16 [1.06‐1.25], P = .005). The majority of horses returned to their intended use regardless of their SAL‐POS (38/50, 76%) or SAL‐NEG (77/96, 80%, P = .498) status. Conclusion Salmonella ‐positive horses that survive to discharge from the hospital after colic surgery have similar risks of long‐term complications (colic/diarrhea), survival, and return to function than Salmonella ‐negative horses.