Novel Therapeutics for the Control of Multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus Equi in Foals

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

Summary Infections caused by Rhodococcus equi are a major cause of economic losses in the quarter horse and the global horse industry. R. equi is responsible for the development of severe pneumonia, which has a significant mortality rate among young foals who are first exposed to R. equi through contact with the soil and farm environments. Immunocompromised adult horses and humans are also susceptible to infection. The economic losses produced by R. equi in the equine industry are attributed to the lengthy treatment of the infected foals, expensive veterinary care, high death rate in foals, and athletic performance in adult horses affected as foals, therefore the infection with R. equi is a large problem for the ongoing production of horses and animal agriculture around the world. Antibiotics are used to treat R. equi infections in foals, but they can have dangerous side effects and are becoming less effective as drug-resistant strains appear. There are also no vaccines that can protect foals from getting R. equi illnesses, so, it is very important to find new ways to treat infections and reduce the risk of bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics. Our long-term goal is to improve foal health and welfare by controlling R. equi-associated pneumonia and reducing the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) R. equi strains. To this end, we have discovered new probiotic strains that can be used as an alternative to antibiotics and have the potential to treat R. equi in foals and control bacterial dissemination to the environment. Before we use these probiotics in foals, we need first to test their effectiveness in the laboratory to make sure that these probiotic strains are not toxic to the host. The outcome of this study will lead to the development of a novel approach for reducing the emergence of R. equi and antimicrobial resistance equi in foals. Our study will have a great impact on the quarter horse and the whole equine industry by 1) reducing R. equi infection in foals and on horse farms, 2) decreasing the use of antibiotics and preventing their adverse effects such as diarrhea 3) preventing the spread of MDR R. equi, 4) promoting sustainable horse agriculture and health in the USA and worldwide, and 5) reducing economic losses.
StatusActive
Effective start/end date10/1/249/30/25

Funding

  • American Quarter Horse Foundation: $50,072.00

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