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Clostridial diseases of the horse
Author(s) -
South Victoria
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
in practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.211
H-Index - 25
eISSN - 2042-7689
pISSN - 0263-841X
DOI - 10.1136/inp.g163
Subject(s) - clostridia , microbiology and biotechnology , clostridium , biology , spore , commensalism , bacteria , genetics
The Clostridium genus contains several species that are important equine pathogens. Clostridia are Gram‐positive spore‐forming bacteria with differing degrees of aerotolerance. Many Clostridium species are intestinal commensals in healthy horses; however, some are opportunistic pathogens that cause a range of diseases. Clostridial spores are often resistant to disinfectants and can survive in extreme environmental conditions, leading to widespread exposure risk. This article describes the main clostridial diseases affecting horses, discussing differential diagnoses, prevention and treatment.