title: Identification of predictors of Salmonella shedding in adult horses presented for acute colic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colic has been associated with shedding of Salmonella. Horses with salmonellosis typically develop diarrhea, fever, and leukopenia. Overlooking additional predictors may result in failure to detect shedding horses and increase environmental contamination.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate associations between signalment and clinicopathologic data during early hospitalization and Salmonella shedding in horses treated for acute colic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Horses with acute colic admitted to a referral hospital. A total of 59 horses shedding Salmonella compared to 108 Salmonella-negative horses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case-control study evaluating patient and Salmonella culture data. Associations between variables and Salmonella shedding were identified using logistic regression. Two multivariable models were developed pertaining to (1) information available within 24 hours of admission and (2) clinical findings that developed later during hospitalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Variables retained for multivariable model 1 indicated that Warmbloods and Arabians had increased odds for shedding Salmonella, as did horses requiring surgery (OR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.10-5.75) or having more severe gastrointestinal disease (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.08-6.20). Retained variables for model 2 demonstrated that horses that were treated surgically (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 0.70-3.62), developed fever >103°F (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 0.92-7.87), had abnormal leukocyte count (OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.61-3.09), or became inappetent and lethargic (OR, 16.69; 95% CI, 4.08-68.24) had increased odds for shedding Salmonella.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In horses with acute colic that present without signs of diarrhea, fever, or leukopenia, additional predictors associated with shedding Salmonella could be used to more promptly identify horses likely to shed organisms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Kennett Square, PA 19348, USA. bldallap@vet.upenn.edu
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Dallap Schaer
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Aceto
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Brace
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003085:Colic / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006736:Horses; D016015:Logistic Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012475:Salmonella / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012481:Salmonella Infections, Animal / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology