Topic:Animal Species
The topic "Animal Species and Horses" explores the interactions and relationships between horses and various other animal species. This includes understanding the ecological roles horses play within their environments, as well as their interactions with domestic and wild animals. Research in this area may cover aspects such as competition for resources, symbiotic relationships, and behavioral influences between horses and other species. Studies may also investigate the impact of horses on biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that examine these interspecies relationships, focusing on the ecological, behavioral, and environmental implications of horses interacting with other animals.
Isolation of Madariaga Virus (MADV) in a Horse Coinfected with Equine Infectious Anemia in Venezuela: A Review of MADV Circulation in the Country. Madariaga virus (MADV), formerly known as the South American variant of Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV), is an alphavirus that belongs to the family and has been periodically infecting equids in Venezuela since its first identification in 1975. This study reports the isolation and molecular characterization of MADV isolated from a horse in December 2024 in the context of MADV cases reported in Venezuela. Methods: Antibodies to the rabies virus were detected by indirect immunofluorescence, and to the Equine Infectious Anemia virus (EIAV) by passive immunodiffusion. MADV RNA was detect...
Investigation of gene stability in equine luteal tissue during mid-diestrus phase and early pregnancy – Research Article. Real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a technique that allows for the semi-quantification of mRNA transcripts present within a tissue of interest. Differences in the relative abundance of mRNA between samples detected by RT-qPCR require normalization with a reference gene or genes whose transcript abundance is stable within the tissue of interest independent of experimental conditions. In the field of equine reproductive studies, ACTB, GAPDH and B2M genes are the most widely used as reference genes for the normalization of RT-qPCR results. However,...
Comparative analysis of the organization and complexity of immunoglobulin light chain loci in equids. This study investigated three donkey breeds-Guanzhong, Jiami, and Northern Shaanxi-to characterize the structural organization and diversification mechanisms of the immunoglobulin light-chain (IgL) loci and to conduct both intra-breed and interspecies comparisons with horses. The donkey IGλ locus is located on chromosome 8 and arranged in a Vλ-(Jλ-Cλ)-Vλ configuration. It contains 7 Cλ genes, each preceded by a corresponding Jλ gene to form a Jλ-Cλ cluster. Upstream of this cluster, 156 Vλ genes were identified, including 29 potential functional genes; downstream, 98 Vλ genes were d...
Outbreak of equine botulism type C associated with consumption of baleage in Brazil. An outbreak of botulism occurred in March 2024 among horses at a Quarter Horse stud farm in Central-West Brazil. After ingesting baleage, 22 of 26 (85%) horses housed in stables and fed baleage became ill. The affected horses had dysphagia, muscular weakness, fasciculations, and progressive recumbency; 13 of 22 (59%) died within a few days. The diagnosis of type C botulism was established based on clinical and epidemiologic findings and confirmed by mouse bioassays, which indicated botulinum toxin type C in liver samples and intestinal contents. Furthermore, PCR testing identified toxigenic i...
Primary photosensitization in horses associated with ingestion of Malachra fasciata Jacq. (Malvaceae) in the Northeast of Brazil. Malachra fasciata Jacq. (Malvaceae) is an invasive plant widely found in Northeastern Brazil and has been experimentally demonstrated to cause severe dermatitis in sheep. However, its toxic effects in horses have not previously been documented. This report describes primary photosensitization in four Quarter Horses grazing on a pasture heavily infested with M. fasciata in Paraíba, Brazil. Affected animals developed alopecic, erythematous, crusted, and ulcerated lesions on sun-exposed areas, accompanied by severe pruritus and behavioral signs of distress. Histopathology revealed epidermal ulce...
Urine sediment characterisation in physically healthy adult jennies (Equus asinus). A cross-sectional study. Urinalysis is a valuable, non-invasive method for evaluating renal function, yet data on donkey urinary parameters remain scarce. This study characterised urinary sediment in fifty-four healthy adult jennies, established urine specific gravity (USG) reference intervals, and proposed a preliminary semi-quantitative sediment grading scale. Urine samples were collected via catheterisation and analysed using refractometry, dipstick testing, and microscopy. The median USG was 1.048 (IQR: 1.040-1.055) with a pH of 7.6 (IQR: 7.2-8.0). Leukocytes and glucose were absent; erythrocytes were found in one...
Listeria monocytogenes septicemia in foals: A case series (1986 to 2024). Listeriosis is caused by , a Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic, intracellular rod bacterium that can infect a wide variety of species. Listeriosis occurs in a diverse range of domestic and wild animals but is most commonly a disease of ruminants. Clinical signs include meningoencephalitis, typhlocolitis, septic arthritis, and abortions. Listeriosis in horses has been reported in several countries but is an uncommon diagnosis. This report describes clinical, bacteriological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in 6 foals with neonatal septicemia from which was isolated. Key ...
Clostridioides difficile in equidae necropsied in Northwestern France, between 2019 and 2021. an anaerobic, spore-forming enteropathogen, is less studied in animals than in humans despite its importance in One Health. We evaluated occurrence, diversity, circulation, and virulence in French Equidae ( = 100) after their necropsy in northwestern France, from 2019 to 2021. We systematically recovered all cecal contents and any watery intestinal contents. We isolated strains, determined their toxin gene profile by PCR, and established their PCR-ribotype according to the WEBRIBO database. We also performed free toxin detection. Twenty-seven Equidae were positive for and 20 had a toxigeni...
Development and application of a focused ultrasound protocol in neonatal foals. This study aimed to develop a standardized ultrasound (US) protocol using selected thoracic and abdominal acoustic windows, to assess its feasibility and applicability in healthy foals, and to evaluate its usefulness for detecting common thoracic and abdominal conditions in sick foals. The Focused US (FUS) protocol included 12 thoraco-abdominal windows (4 right-side, 3 ventral, 5 left-side) using a curved-array probe. It was applied to cohorts of healthy (n = 17) and sick (n = 23) foals by a veterinary clinician with limited US experience. The FUS showed good feasibility and applicabil...
Changes in Uterine Glandular Composition in Kyrgyz Breed Mares According to Pregnancy Status. This study was conducted to examine glandular histological changes in the uterus of Kyrgyz breed mares during the first 6 months of pregnancy. The study used 53 Kyrgyz breed mares; 43 of these were at different stages of pregnancy, while 10 were non-pregnant mares. Uterine samples obtained at the slaughterhouse were evaluated histomorphometrically; endometrial thickness, gland density, gland epithelial height and gland diameter were measured. In conclusion, it was concluded that in Kyrgyz mares, endometrial thickness, glandular epithelial height and diameter increased as pregnancy progressed...
High-Altitude Extreme Environments Drive Convergent Evolution of Skin Microbiota in Humans and Horses. Unique skin microbial communities have been shaped by the harsh climatic conditions in high-altitude areas, such as intense ultraviolet radiation and low oxygen concentration. However, it is unknown whether high altitude contributes to shaping common microbiota inhabiting the skin across different mammals. The skin microbial communities of humans and horses living in high-altitude (Tibetan) and low-altitude areas were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing technology. Alpha diversity differed between high- and low-altitude groups ( < 0.01). Skin microbial community composition also dif...
Identification of a novel equine rhinitis B virus detected in horse from Japan. Equine rhinitis B virus (ERBV), a member of the Picornaviridae family, is associated with mild to moderate respiratory illness in horses, yet its genomic diversity remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we performed metagenomic analysis on a rectal swab sample from a diarrheic foal confirmed to be positive for rotavirus A. Unexpectedly, we identified a highly divergent ERBV strain with a 9,448-nucleotide genome encoding a 2,721-amino-acid polyprotein. Sequence analysis revealed only 62.5-63.1% identity in the polyprotein and 47.1-49.8% in the VP1 region compared to known ERBV serot...
Potassium carbonate as an alternative solution for detecting Anoplocephalid eggs in horse faecal samples. Anoplocephalid species are responsible for causing tapeworm infection in horses. The disease may cause serious health issues, including discomfort, colic, and even intestinal perforation and death. A study was carried out to compare the detection rates of tapeworm eggs in naturally infected horses using two different examination solutions. For this purpose, faecal samples of 241 horses were examined with a combined sedimentation + centrifugation + flotation technique using saturated sugar solution (specific gravity (SG) = 1.30) as the basis and potassium carbonate (KCO) solution (S...
Mitochondrial genome assembly of the Peruvian Paso horse through PacBio long-read sequencing. The complete mitochondrial genome of the Peruvian Paso Horse was assembled using PacBio HiFi long reads, resulting in a high-quality circular genome of 16,617 bp comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, and a control region. Nucleotide composition and gene structure were consistent with other equine mitogenomes. Codon usage analysis revealed a bias toward CUA (Leu), AUA and AUC (Ile), suggesting translational optimization. Thirty-five heteroplasmic variants were identified, predominantly located in RNA genes (12 S rRNA and tRNA-Phe), with allele frequencies between 0.10 and 0.6...
First Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Equine Hepacivirus (EqHV) in Iran. The recent identification of novel viruses associated with hepatitis in horses has prompted equine veterinarians to investigate the viral factors contributing to equine hepatitis. Hepacivirus equi (EqHV), a member of the Flaviviridae family within the Hepacivirus genus, has been detected in horses affected by hepatitis. Globally, EqHV is highly conserved, existing as a single genotype with three distinct subtypes (Subtypes 1-3). Numerous studies have detected the virus by PCR and identified EqHV-specific antibodies through serological tests in different regions worldwide. However, to the best ...
Advances in Equine Genomics: Decoding the Genetic Architecture of Morphology, Performance, Behavior, and Adaptation. The genus Equus, encompassing horses, donkeys, and extinct relatives, has evolved over approximately 55 million years from small, multi-toed ancestors to the modern horse. Selective breeding has produced over 600 distinct horse breeds optimized for diverse traits such as size, conformation, performance, and adaptability. In the past two decades, rapid advances in equine genomics have significantly deepened our understanding of the molecular basis of these traits. The integration of high-throughput sequencing, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) geno...
Genome-Wide Characterization of the HOX Gene Family: Evolution and Expression Patterns in Donkey. The gene family plays an indispensable role in regulating embryonic development, cell differentiation, and morphogenesis. This study employed bioinformatics approaches for systematic analysis, ultimately identifying 33 gene family members from the donkey genome. Physicochemical property analysis revealed that the number of amino acids encoded ranged from 94 to 444, with 31 members classified as alkaline proteins. Their secondary structure was predominantly composed of random coils and alpha helices, and all members were localized to the nucleus. Conserved motif analysis further demonstrated ...
First documented case of equine brucellosis in Libya: a case report. This case report documents the first identified Brucella infection in a 6-year-old male Thoroughbred horse in Libya. The horse exhibited muscle and joint pain, inflammation over the shoulders with a pulpy texture (fistulous withers), stress, fatigue, and potential systemic infection. Its diagnosis was confirmed through serological testing, with agglutination titers of 1/80 for B. melitensis and 1/160 for B. abortus, and a blood culture revealing Gram-negative coccobacilli. After 3 weeks of combination therapy with rifampicin and doxycycline, the inflammation resolved, systemic signs disappeare...
Genetic Characterization of the Arabian Horse Population in Tunisia Using Microsatellites. The genetic diversity and population structure of Tunisian Arabian horses were assessed using highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, which are critical for conservation and breeding programs. Despite the cultural and economic importance of Arabian horses in Tunisia, molecular data supporting their management remain limited. In this study, DNA from 130 horses was genotyped with 17 ISAG-FAO-recommended microsatellites to evaluate diversity within Eastern and Western Arabian lineages and their relationship to Thoroughbreds. Eastern Arabians showed an average of 5.176 alleles per locus, observ...
Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii infection in wild, domestic and companion animals in urban informal settlements from Salvador, Brazil. Toxoplasma gondii is a globally neglected zoonotic parasite, particularly prevalent in socioeconomically vulnerable areas. Various animal species serve as reservoirs for T. gondii across different regions, including domestic cats, livestock, and a variety of wild and synanthropic animals. In urban areas, especially informal settlements, the close coexistence of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife may influence local transmission dynamics. This study evaluated the seroprevalence and associated risk factors for T. gondii infection in domestic and synanthropic animals from two low-income neigh...
Pilot study: Effects of whole-body vibrational therapy on equine thoracolumbar epaxial muscle response to pressure algometry. Whole-body vibrational therapy (WBV) is well-studied in people, but there is a paucity of research regarding its effect on horses. It is suggested that the use of WBV in horses increases performance, aids in recovery, and stimulates nerves, bones, and muscles in ways that normal exercise does not. Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if frequent WBV therapy sessions affect mechanical nociceptive thresholds based on pressure algometry in horses without clinical signs of lameness or back pain. Methods: The mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) were measured for 5 horses...
Equine monocyte-derived macrophages revisited: isolation and comprehensive characterization of pro- versus anti-inflammatory polarisation. Macrophages play key roles in tissue homeostasis and regeneration-associated inflammation. Unlike humans, a reliable protocol to obtain and polarise equine monocyte-derived macrophages is lacking. In this study the polarisation of equine macrophages, derived from CD172a peripheral blood monocytes is described. After differentiation, IFN-γ/LPS or IL-4 were used to induce pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, respectively. Evaluation criteria included morphology, mRNA (RT-qPCR) and protein expression (flow cytometry, immunofluorescence), nitric oxide and arginase production, cytokine secretion...
Epidemiology and risk factors of equine parvovirus-hepatitis, hepacivirus, Pegivirus caballi, and Pegivirus equi in horses from the Southern United States. Over the past decade, newly identified equine hepatotropic flavi- and parvoviruses, such as equine parvovirus-hepatitis (EqPV-H) and equine hepacivirus (EqHV), have generated considerable scientific and clinical interest. Pegiviruses, including Pegivirus (P.) caballi and P. equi, are also recognized and known to frequently cause persistent infections. However, comprehensive epidemiological data in the United States remain limited. This study analyzed 1195 equine serum samples collected from university-owned horses and diagnostic submissions across Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. Quantitative PCR ...
Time Attenuation Curves for Equine Intravenous Contrast Enhanced Skull CT Using the Medial Saphenous and Cephalic Veins. Intravenous (IV) contrast administration during computed tomography (CT) of the equine head is routinely performed to delineate the extent of disease and differentiate between vascular and nonvascular tissue. Current equine scan protocols are extrapolated from human and canine studies. There have been no prospective equine studies describing the optimal time to image the patient after administration of contrast or the optimal site of contrast administration. Therefore, the current postcontrast times to scan and sites of contrast administration may not be appropriate for use in horses. The obje...
Hippobosca equina: Influences on oxidative stress and immune-regulating cytokine responses in horses. Hippobosca equina, a common ectoparasite of horses, poses a significant challenge to equine health worldwide. This study provides a molecular characterization of H. equina and examines its impact on host immune responses and oxidative stress. Genetic analysis of samples from various regions revealed notable homogeneity, indicating limited genetic variation among populations. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated close genetic relationships among sequences from Egypt, France, Kazakhstan and Portugal, while also showing comparable but more distant identities to sequences from China, Denmark, Finlan...
A Unique Case of Mosaicism for Two Robertsonian Translocations, rob(17;27) and rob(17;29), in a Subfertile Mare (Equus caballus ). Robertsonian translocations (ROBs) or centric fusions of acrocentric chromosomes are the most common structural chromosomal rearrangements in mammals. ROBs are of medical and veterinary concern because of associated subfertility and congenital disorders but are also of interest as a mechanism of chromosome and karyotype evolution. While ROBs are well documented in humans, mice, and cattle/bovids, they are extremely rare in horses, despite the 18 acrocentric chromosomes in the horse karyotype. Methods: We characterize the case using conventional and molecular cytogenetic approaches and DNA anal...
Evaluation of Risk Determinants and Molecular Characterisation for Non-Primate Hepacivirus Infection in Turkish Horses. The genus (HCV) has long been a dynamic group, increasing its number by myriads of species collectively referred to as non-primate hepaciviruses (NPHVs). NPHV exhibits a broad hepatotropism and is often attributed to chronic infection in horses and dogs. However, recent studies and meta-analyses on NPHV in horses have remained inconclusive regarding the determination of risk factors for infection. Therefore, our main goal was to investigate the frequencies and molecular characteristics of NPHV infection linked to geographical location, horse breeds, genders, and ages. For this purpose, we tes...
Using Satellite Remote Sensing to Estimate Rangeland Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Management of the Marismeño Horse in Doñana National Park, Spain. Rangeland degradation poses a serious challenge for the sustainable management of free-ranging livestock in Mediterranean wetlands. In National Park, Spain, the endangered horse depends exclusively on natural forage, making it essential to monitor vegetation productivity and grazing suitability under increasing climate variability. This study presents a satellite-based assessment of rangeland carrying capacity to support the adaptive management of this iconic breed. A six-year time series (2015-2020) of 1242 images from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS and Sentinel-2 (L1C/L2A) was processed using ILWIS an...
A case of Setaria equina in a 13-year-old, UK-resident mare. Setaria equina is a species of filarial nematode parasite transmitted by mosquitoes, which infects horses and other equids. Adult worms reside in the abdominal cavity with apparently little pathogenic significance, but larvae can migrate to other regions of the body with resulting clinical disease. Cases in the UK are rare, with the last published report in 2001. A recent case of S. equina infection was detected in a 13-year-old, UK-resident mare during postmortem examination in Hertfordshire, UK. Adult worms were collected from the abdominal cavity, their DNA extracted and subjected to PCR an...