Biological characteristics of the microflora of hooves with frog rot in horses

The paper presents the results of a comprehensive microbiological study of the microflora of horses with a diagnosis of frog thrush. The object of the study was warm-blooded horses aged 14-15 years with a diagnosis of frog hoof thrush. 3 samples were taken from each animal for microbiological examination: 1 - from the surface of the frog in the area of the central furrow with signs of thrush; 2 - from the depth of the central furrow of the frog with signs of thrush; 3 - from the surface of places with damage to the integrity of the frog in the form of bleeding and erosion. As a result of the research, it was found that Staphylococcus spp was most often isolated in the studied samples. The high concentration of this microorganism indicates its important role in maintaining the inflammatory process. Escherichia coli was isolated from samples obtained from deep wound sites with signs of faecal contamination. In the course of the study, one of the rarely found bacteria Commamonas jiangduensis , which had previously been almost unknown in veterinary microbiology, was isolated and identified. The isolation of this microorganism from deep tissues, its positive catalase reaction and urease activity, as well as partial resistance to aminoglycosides indicate its potential involvement in the formation of inflammation. MALDI-TOF made it possible to reliably confirm the identification of this microorganism. The presence of Mucor spp . and yeast fungi was noted in the studied samples, indicating the presence of increased litter moisture and the absence of regular antiseptic hoof treatment. The detection of spirochaetes confirms the clinical picture of a deep lesion of a frog with a necrotic component. The results of the study confirm that infectious processes in the area of the hoof frog in horses are polymicrobial in nature and are formed with the participation of both bacterial and fungal microflora.