Abstract
Simple SummaryHorse hoof possesses a micro-flora that may promote the development of secondary infections following wounds or surgery. For this reason, in vitro and in vivo experiments were used to verify and compare the bactericidal power of two well-known disinfectants, Povidone-iodine (PI) and Chlorhexidine (CHx), and a new stable colloidal suspension of iron oxide, called Iron Animals (IA). In vitro, IA was able to completely suppress the bacterial growth on all of the tested microorganisms. In vivo, PI alone possessed the lowest efficacy for hoof disinfection; CHx resulted as the best treatment in 18% of cases. CHx + IA emerged as the best disinfection protocol for equine hoof achieving the lowest bacterial load in 55% of cases. The addition of IA, after PI or CHx, improved both disinfectants’ effectiveness, leading to the highest bactericidal activity in 82% of cases. IA would deserve a chance as a possible solution in pre-surgical disinfection of the equine hoof, reducing the risk of infection. The presence of bacteria of various origins on horse hoofs enables the onset of infections following trauma or even post-surgical wounds. Thus, the analysis of new antibacterial substances is of fundamental importance. In this study, the antibacterial efficacy of Iron Animals (IA), a stable colloidal suspension of iron oxide, organic acids, and detergents, was tested in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays were performed to test the unspecific inhibitory effect of IA on both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria monitoring the microorganism growth by spectrophotometry (optical density OD600) at 37 °C for 24 h. In vivo test consists on the quantification of the bacterial load in colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of specimens collected from the frog region of the anterior hooves of 11 horses. Sampling followed the application of four disinfectant protocols consisting of two consecutive 3 min scrubs with 50 mL of 10% Povidone-iodine (PI) or 4% Chlorhexidine (CHx), with or without an additional application for 15 min of 10 mL of Iron Animals (PI+IA and CHx+IA). In vitro, IA completely suppressed the bacterial growth of all the tested microorganisms, resulting in effectiveness also against CHx-resistant bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus. In vivo, PI emerged as an ineffective protocol; CHx was effective in 18% of cases, but with the addition of IA (CHx + IA) its use emerged as the best disinfectant protocol for horse hoof, achieving the lowest bacterial load in 55% of cases. The addition of IA, after PI or CHx, improves the effectiveness of both disinfectants leading to the highest bactericidal activity in 82% of cases.
Highlights
The equine hoof is exposed to a variety of microorganisms, which can be subdivided into (1) skin inhabitants, gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. aureus, α-Streptococcus viridans, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., and Corynebacterium spp.); (2) gramnegatives of fecal origin (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca);(3) hoof-capsule residents (Acinetobacter spp.) [1,2,3]
It is noteworthy that the application of Iron Animals (IA) was able to completely suppress the bacterial growth on all the tested microorganisms (Figure 1B)
The bactericidal efficacy was definitively substantiated by plate count after bacterial growth, evidencing the complete disappearance of the two microorganisms
Summary
(3) hoof-capsule residents (Acinetobacter spp.) [1,2,3]. This transient microflora is influenced by the presence of exudate, hair, dirt, and high moisture in the environment [1,4]. The rigidity of the hoof capsule prevents rapid wound closure and healing. For these reasons, diseases involving equine hoof require the removal of foreign materials and, in some cases, the trimming and rasping of the hoof before the application of disinfectants and bandage [2,3,6,7]
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.