Presence and molecular characterization of Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens in intestinal compartments of healthy horses.

Background: Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens are commonly associated with colitis in equids, but healthy carriers exist. Scarce information is available on the prevalence of Clostridium spp. in gastrointestinal compartments other than faeces in healthy horses, and it is unknown whether faecal samples are representative of proximal compartments.