Analysis of the Culturable Skin Microbiome of Horses from Southern Germany
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Horses have close interactions with humans and are important as working animals and livestock. In contrast to smaller companion animals like cats and dogs, there is only little information available about their skin microbiome. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the culturable cutaneous microbiome of healthy horses. Samples were taken from 14 horses from Southern Germany which were randomly enrolled in this study. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was used as a method to detect the culturable microorganisms of horse skin. The most abundant culturable species of horse skin identified in this study include Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Carnobacterium inhibens, Exiguobacterium sibiricum, Macrococcus carouselicus, Macrococcus goetzii and Staphylococcus equorum. Analyses of the bacteria across different body regions indicated the specific preferences of species for certain skin areas. In addition, our data hinted to an influence of the age of the horses tested and an influence between the four stables studied.
Source: Microorganisms
Authors: Mahdis Matinpour, Nadine Zettner, Kristin Neumann, Lisa Bäumer, Andreas Burkovski
Institution: Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg
Language: English
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,258
Funder: Bayern Innovativ
Award: G5971781946
OpenAlex ID: W4408291783