Distribution of Bacterial Agents and Diagnosed Diseases in Samples Sent to the Jockey Club of Türkiye Istanbul Equine Hospital Laboratory: A Retrospective Study (2015-2019)

The categorization of diseases identified in Turkish race and breeding horses, as well as the bacterial agents derived from these equines, have not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine the bacterial agents in samples taken from sick horses brought to the covering stations and animal hospitals operating under the Jockey Club of Türkiye (TJK) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, and the retrospective distribution of diseases in the horses from which these samples were taken. It was determined that the most frequently sent sample to the TJK Istanbul Equine Hospital Laboratory was tracheal lavage fluid (47.3%) and that the samples were mostly sent in the spring (33.8%) and autumn (30.8%) seasons. It was determined that the most common respiratory system infections (49.37%), followed by genital system infections (29.11%) and gastrointestinal system infections (18.57%) were seen in the horses from which the samples were taken. In all samples sent, the most isolated pathogen was Escherichia coli (15.6%). In respiratory system infections, the most identified pathogens were Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (14.53%), followed by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (11.11%) and Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (10.26%). In horses diagnosed with gastrointestinal system diseases, the most isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli (37.21%), followed by Corynebacterium jeikeium (18.60%). As a result, it is expected that the findings obtained from this study will contribute to taking specific measures against diseases or bacterial agents with high prevalence in enterprises operating within the TJK and minimizing losses due to horse diseases.