Epidemiologic analysis of nosocomial Salmonella infections in hospitalized horses.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the relationship between abdominal surgery and nosocomial Salmonella infections and the relationship between high caseload in combination with abdominal surgery and nosocomial Salmonella infections in hospitalized horses with signs of gastrointestinal tract disease.


METHODS
140 horses.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
To accomplish the first objective, 1 to 4 control horses were matched with each nosocomial case horse on the basis of admission date of a primary case horse. The frequency of abdominal surgery and other investigated exposure factors were compared between nosocomial case horses and control horses. For the second objective, 4 control horses were matched with each nosocomial case horse on the basis of year of admission. The frequency of high caseload (>or=26 inpatients), abdominal surgery, and other factors was compared between nosocomial case horses and control horses.


RESULTS
The odds of nosocomial Salmonella infection were 8 times as high (odds ratio=8.2; 95% confidence interval=1.11, 60.24) in horses that underwent abdominal surgery, compared with the odds for horses that did not undergo surgery. High caseload alone or in combination with abdominal surgery was not associated with increased risk of nosocomial Salmonella infection.


CONCLUSIONS
Abdominal surgery was identified as a risk factor for nosocomial Salmonella infections in horses. Horses that undergo abdominal surgery require enhanced infection control and preventative care. Risk of nosocomial Salmonella infections may be reduced by implementation of biosecurity measures (such as the use of plastic boots, gloves, and footbaths) immediately after surgery.
Ekiri
Abel B
AB
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610-0136, USA.
MacKay
Robert J
RJ
Gaskin
Jack M
JM
Freeman
David E
DE
House
Amanda M
AM
Giguère
Steeve
S
Troedsson
Mats R
MR
Schuman
Crystal D
CD
von Chamier
Maria M
MM
Henry
Katherine M
KM
Hernandez
Jorge A
JA
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*; D006736:Horses; D006762:Hospitals, Animal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006920:Hygiene; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission*