By Blake Jackson
The University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has launched a new research project aimed at finding a natural, probiotic-based solution to combat Rhodococcus equi (R. equi), a bacterial infection that causes severe pneumonia in young foals. This infection has long been a major challenge for horse owners, veterinarians, and breeders due to its high mortality rate, costly treatments, and long-term health impacts on surviving animals.
The research, titled “Novel Therapeutics for the Control of Multidrug-resistant Rhodococcus equi in Foals,” is funded by the American Quarter Horse Association. It explores the potential of probiotics as a sustainable alternative to traditional antibiotics, which are becoming less effective due to antibiotic resistance. This research could lead to significant changes in how R. equi infections are managed, ultimately offering a safer and more eco-friendly approach to protect foals.
Foals are particularly vulnerable to R. equi, contracting it from contaminated environments. Inhaling bacteria from soil can lead to pneumonia, with symptoms like fever, difficulty breathing, and lethargy. Without prompt treatment, the infection is often fatal or causes chronic health problems that affect the foal’s athletic potential. Currently, antibiotics are the main treatment option, but they come with side effects and the growing issue of antibiotic resistance.
“This infection has been a persistent problem for the horse industry, leading to high costs, complicated treatments and heartbreaking losses,” said Yosra Helmy, assistant professor of infectious diseases and microbiology in the Department of Veterinary Science at the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “By exploring probiotics as a preventative and treatment solution, we aim to shift away from traditional antibiotic treatments and offer horse owners and veterinarians a sustainable approach to protect foals and promote long-term health.”
If successful, these probiotics could significantly reduce the incidence of R. equi, decrease veterinary costs, and improve the overall health of foals, setting a new standard for care in the equine industry. The outcomes of this study could have a lasting impact on horse farming practices worldwide.
Photo Credit: university-of-kentucky
Categories: Kentucky, Education