Helicobacter equorum: prevalence and significance for horses and humans |
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| Authors: | Hilde Moyaert Frank Pasmans Annemie Decostere Richard Ducatelle & Freddy Haesebrouck |
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| Institution: | International Clinical Development, s.a. Alcon-Couvreur n.v., Puurs, Belgium;;and Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium |
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| Abstract: | Helicobacter equorum colonizes the caecum, colon and rectum of horses. The agent is highly prevalent in <6-month-old foals. In adult horses, the prevalence of H. equorum seems to be rather low, but these animals may harbour low, subdetectable numbers of this microorganism in their intestines. So far, no association could be made between the presence of H. equorum and clinical disease or intestinal lesions in adult horses. Further research is necessary to elucidate the pathogenic potential of this bacterial species towards young foals. Helicobacter equorum DNA was not detected in human faeces, indicating that this microorganism does not commonly spread from horses towards humans. |
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| Keywords: | Helicobacter equorum horses humans |
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