A quantitative swab is a good non-invasive alternative to a quantitative biopsy for quantifying bacterial load in wounds healing by second intention in horses. (July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Van Hecke, L.L.; Hermans, K.; Haspeslagh, M.; Chiers, K.; Pint, E.; Boyen, F.; Martens, A.M.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary journal. Volume 225(2017)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 68
• Publication Date: 2017-07
• Subjects: Diagnosis -- Horse -- Infection -- Second intention -- Wound; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2017.06.004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-0233

Abstract

Highlights: This study evaluated different techniques for diagnosing infection in wounds healing by second intention in horses. A quantitative swab was a good non-invasive alternative to a quantitative biopsy for quantifying bacterial load. A semi-quantitative swab was unsuitable as an alternative to a quantitative biopsy. Wounds with black granulation tissue showed significantly higher log colony-forming units (CFU) Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate different techniques for diagnosing wound infection in wounds healing by second intention in horses and to assess the effect of a vortex and sonication protocol on quantitative bacteriology in specimens with a histologically confirmed biofilm. In 50 wounds healing by second intention, a clinical assessment, a quantitative swab, a semi-quantitative swab, and a swab for cytology were compared to a quantitative tissue biopsy (reference standard). Part of the biopsy specimen was examined histologically for evidence of a biofilm. There was a significant, high correlation ( P < 0.001; r = 0.747) between the outcome of the quantitative swabs and the quantitative biopsies. The semi-quantitative swabs showed a significant, moderate correlation with the quantitative biopsies ( P < 0.001; ρ = 0.524). Higher white blood cell counts for cytology were significantly associated with lower log10 colony-forming units (CFU) in the wounds ( P = 0.02). Wounds with black granulation tissue showed significantly higher log10 CFU ( P = 0.003). Specimens with biofilms did not yield higher bacteriological counts after a vortex and sonication protocol was performed to release bacteria from the biofilm. Based on these findings, a quantitative swab is an acceptable non-invasive alternative to a quantitative biopsy for quantifying bacterial load in equine wounds healing by second intention.