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Topic:Disease Diagnosis
Disease diagnosis in horses involves the identification and characterization of illnesses through various diagnostic methods and tools. This process is essential for effective veterinary care and management of equine health. Techniques used in diagnosing diseases in horses include clinical examinations, laboratory tests, imaging modalities such as ultrasonography and radiography, and molecular diagnostics. Blood tests are frequently utilized to assess parameters such as complete blood count and biochemical profiles, which can indicate underlying health issues. Additionally, advancements in genetic testing and biomarker identification have enhanced the ability to detect specific diseases early. This page aggregates peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore diagnostic methodologies, their applications, and their impact on equine health management.
Comparison of two rebound tonometers in healthy horses. To obtain a reference range for evaluation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses using Tonovet Plus , to compare the IOP readings obtained with Tonovet and Tonovet Plus , and to evaluate the repeatability of readings. Unassigned: Intraocular pressure of 30 client-owned horses (60 eyes) with no signs of illness or ocular disease was evaluated using Tonovet and Tonovet Plus rebound tonometers. Horses' mean age was 10.7 (range 6-17) years. Triplicate measurements were performed without using sedatives or local anesthetics, with minimal restraint. Results: Calculated reference intervals (the CLS...
Investigating the presence of equine piroplasmosis in Ireland. Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a notifiable disease in Ireland and a significant concern to domestic and international equine industries. Information regarding EP presence in Ireland is currently limited. This retrospective surveillance study describes a serological and molecular analysis of blood samples submitted to the Irish Equine Centre for EP testing between January 2013 and April 2016. Methods: Following serological testing, seropositive samples were screened using a PCR targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene. Amplicon sequences were bioinformatically analysed to identify the parasite speci...
Evaluation of pigment epithelium-derived factor concentration in equine amniotic membrane homogenate and its in-vitro vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition effect in tears of dogs with vascularized ulcerative keratitis. Corneal neovascularization can result from many pathological processes affecting the ocular surface leading to disturbances and opacifications that reduce corneal clarity and may impact vision. In veterinary medicine, the use of topical corticosteroid is contraindicated in the presence of ulcerative keratitis, and there is sparse research regarding safe medical alternatives to inhibit corneal neovascularization in dogs to improve visual outcome. To investigate the pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) concentration in equine amniotic membrane homogenate (EAMH) and its in-vitro vascular endo...
Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Brazilian Native Bothrops Envenomation in Nine Horses. In this retrospective study, clinical records of nine horses with a diagnosis of Bothrops envenomation were investigated. The accidents were classified as severe (5/9), moderate (2/9), or mild (2/9) according to the adapted bothropic snakebite severity score (BSSS). All snakebites were on the head region. The main clinical signs were local edema, blood coagulation disorders, and respiratory distress. The whole-blood clotting time (WBCT) was prolonged in all horses, and five horses presented with uncoagulable blood. All horses received specific snake antivenom according to the BSSS (six vials f...
Component-resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity. Allergy to bites of blood-sucking insects, including biting midges, can affect both human and veterinary patients. Horses are often suffering from an IgE-mediated allergic dermatitis caused by bites of midges (Culicoides spp). With the aim to improve allergen immunotherapy (AIT), numerous Culicoides allergens have been produced as recombinant (r-) proteins. This study aimed to test a comprehensive panel of differently expressed Culicoides r-allergens on a cohort of IBH-affected and control horses using an allergen microarray. IgE levels to 27 Culicoides r-allergens, including 8 previously unpu...
Association Between Disease Severity, Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Serum Cortisol Concentrations in Horses with Acute Abdominal Pain. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a noninvasive technique to detect changes in the autonomous nervous system. It has rarely been investigated in horses with colic. Therefore, the objective was to assess the evolution of HRV parameters and cortisol concentrations in horses with colic. The 43 horses included in this study were categorized into three groups according to the treatment (1, surgical; 2, conservative; 3, euthanized). The HRV and laboratory variables were measured at admission (T1), the day after admission (T2), and at discharge (T3) and compared between groups and over time with an ANO...
Microdamage in the equine superficial digital flexor tendon. The forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is an energy-storing tendon that is highly susceptible to injury during activities such as galloping and jumping, such that it is one of the most commonly reported causes of lameness in the performance horse. This review outlines the biomechanical and biothermal effects of strain on the SDFT and how these contribute to the accumulation of microdamage. The effect of age-related alterations on strain response and subsequent injury risk is also considered. Given that tendon is a slowly healing and poorly regenerative tissue, prompt detection o...
Validation of an Easy Handling Sample Preparation and Triplex Real Time PCR for Rapid Detection of T. equigenitalis and Other Organisms Associated with Endometritis in Mares. Isolation and identification of Taylorella equigenitalis, the causative agent of contagious equine metritis, by bacteriology is laborious and does not permit differentiation from the other member of the genus, Taylorella asinigenitalis. Moreover, other organisms such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa can also cause endometritis in mares and warrant diagnostic detection. Our objectives were to develop a rapid preparation method for field swab samples and to validate this protocol using new multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (rtPCR) detection tools for identification...
Molecular screening of XY SRY-negative sex reversal cases in horses revealed anomalies in amelogenin testing. Male-to-female sex reversal in horses is a developmental disorder in which phenotypic females have a male genetic constitution. Male-to-female sex reversal is the second most common genetic sex abnormality, after X chromosome monosomy. All male-to-female sex reversal cases studied to date have been found to be infertile. Therefore, a screening test is particularly useful in laboratories doing DNA genotyping in horses. Our laboratory has tested > 209,000 horses for parentage using a panel of microsatellite markers and the sex marker gene amelogenin (). Suspect XY sex reversal cases are rep...
Ocular disease in horses with confirmed ocular or central nervous system Borrelia infection: Case series and review of literature. To describe the clinical presentation, treatment, and clinical outcome of horses with ocular disease and evidence of systemic or ocular Lyme disease. Methods: Five horses met the inclusion criteria of ocular disease with evidence of B burgdorferi present in ocular or CNS tissues. Methods: The goal of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and progression of ocular disease when associated with ocular or CNS B burgdorferi infection in horses. A retrospective review of medical records was performed on horses admitted for ocular disease with evidence of B burgdorferi infection bet...
Radiographic Description of a Bone Exostosis Lesion on the Caudal Aspect of the Proximal Tibia in Three Thoroughbred Yearlings (2014-2019). This manuscript describes exostosis lesions originating from the caudal aspect of the proximal tibia identified in three Thoroughbred yearlings as part of the routine review of presale radiographic images. These lesions are hypothesized to be osteochondromas. The identification of bony exostoses on the proximal tibia has not been reported before in current literature. As they have not been described, the future effect on performance or soundness is unknown. Although these cases were not lame at the time of detection, the future growth of the lesion and its impact on surrounding soft tissues is...
Complications associated with closure of the linea alba using a combination of interrupted vertical mattress and simple interrupted sutures in equine laparotomies. (1) Evaluate the occurrence and variables associated with incisional morbidities (IMs) after ventral median laparotomy when using interrupted vertical mattress sutures (IVMS) and (2) determine the occurrence of abdominal bandage-associated complications in horses. Methods: Occurrence of IM and bandage-associated complications were determined after single laparotomies (SL group; n=546 horses) and repeat laparotomies (RL group: multiple laparotomies within four weeks; n=30 horses) in horses that survived ≥7 days postoperatively. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were per...
Synthesis and characterization of barbarin, a possible source of unexplained aminorex identifications in forensic science. Aminorex is a US DEA Schedule 1 controlled substance occasionally detected in racing horses. A number of aminorex identifications in sport horses were thought to have been caused by exposure to plant sources of aminorex. Glucobarbarin, found in plants of the Brassicaceae family, has been suggested as a potential proximate chemical source by being metabolized in the plant or the horse to aminorex. In Brassicaceae, glucobarbarin is hydrolyzed by myrosinase to yield barbarin, which serves as an insect repellant and/or attractant and is structurally related to aminorex. The synthesis, purification...
Procalcitonin Detection in Veterinary Species: Investigation of Commercial ELISA Kits. In human medicine, procalcitonin (PCT), the precursor of calcitonin, is used for the rapid identification of the origin and severity of sepsis. In veterinary medicine, PCT has been studied in horses, cattle, and dogs, but the use of PCT in diagnostic and/or prognostic settings is not possible because of the lack of validated assays to obtain reference ranges. The aim of the present study was the investigation of commercially available ELISA kits for the detection of canine and equine PCT in plasma samples. Validation of the ELISA kits was performed by using species-specific recombinant protein...
Update on Seminal Vesiculitis in Stallions. Seminal vesiculitis in stallions reduces fertility and is often underdiagnosed. The most common cause is infection of seminal vesicles by bacteria capable of forming biofilms and a propensity for tissue persistence, for example, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Achieving a clinical cure is challenging because of a high rate of recurrence. Systemic antibiotic therapy does not reach adequate therapeutic concentrations within the seminal vesicles; one alternative is endoscopy-guided, local antibiotic infusion into the gland lumen, with or without concurrent systemic antibiotics. Current diagnostic and the...
Investigation of the Shedding of Selected Respiratory Pathogens in Healthy Horses Presented for Routine Dental Care. The main objective of the study was to determine the frequency of detection of selected infectious respiratory viruses and bacteria in healthy horses presented over a 12-month period for routine dental care at 2 veterinary hospitals. Nasal secretions were collected from 579 horses and tested for equine herpesviruses (EHV-1, EHV-2, EHV-4, EHV-5), equine influenza virus (EIV), equine rhinitis A and B viruses (ERAV, ERBV), Streptococcus equi subspecies equi (S equi), S equi subspecies zooepidemicus (S zooepidemicus), and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using routine diagnostic ...
Comparison of loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and PCR for the diagnosis of infection with Trypanosoma brucei ssp. in equids in The Gambia. Infection of equids with Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei) ssp. is of socioeconomic importance across sub-Saharan Africa as the disease often progresses to cause fatal meningoencephalitis. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has been developed as a cost-effective molecular diagnostic test and is potentially applicable for use in field-based laboratories. Threshold levels for T. brucei ssp. detection by LAMP were determined using whole equine blood specimens spiked with known concentrations of parasites. Results were compared to OIE antemortem gold standard of T. brucei-PCR (TBR-PCR). Th...
Chlamydia psittaci: a suspected cause of reproductive loss in three Victorian horses. Chlamydia psittaci was detected by PCR in the lung and equine foetal membranes of two aborted equine foetuses and one weak foal from two different studs in Victoria, Australia. The abortions occurred in September 2019 in two mares sharing a paddock northeast of Melbourne. The weak foal was born in October 2019 in a similar geographical region and died soon after birth despite receiving veterinary care. The detection of C. psittaci DNA in the lung and equine foetal membranes of the aborted or weak foals and the absence of any other factors that are commonly associated with abortion or neonatal ...
Evaluation of a Pseudotyped Virus Neutralisation Test for the Measurement of Equine Influenza Virus-Neutralising Antibody Responses Induced by Vaccination and Infection. Equine influenza is a major respiratory disease of horses that is largely controlled by vaccination in some equine populations. Virus-neutralising antibodies, the mainstay of the protective immune response, are problematic in assaying for equine influenza virus, as most strains do not replicate efficiently in cell culture. Surrogate measures of protective antibody responses include the haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and single radial haemolysis (SRH) assay. For this study, a pseudotyped virus, bearing an envelope containing the haemagglutinin (HA) from the Florida clade 2 equine influe...
Sidewinder gait in horses. Sidewinder gait in horses is poorly understood and characterized by walking with the trunk and pelvic limbs drifting to 1 side. Objective: To report causes, clinical and diagnostic features. Methods: Horses examined at 2 institutions. Methods: Retrospective study (2000-2019). Cases with sidewinder gait, neurological and orthopedic examination, and diagnostic work up or postmortem evaluation were included. Descriptive statistics were performed. Results: Twenty-four horses (mean age 18.9 years) of various breeds and both sexes were included. Onset was acute (N = 10), subacute (N = 6), and insi...
Causes and Pathology of Equine Pneumonia and Pleuritis in Southern Brazil. We document the causes and pathological findings in 50 cases of equine pneumonia and pleuritis in Southern Brazil. Suppurative (17/50), pyogranulomatous (14/50), aspiration (5/50), mycotic (4/50), bronchointerstitial (3/50), embolic (3/50) and eosinophilic granulomatous pneumonia (1/50) and pleuritis (3/50) were the main conditions identified. Streptococcus spp. were identified in 11 cases of suppurative pneumonia. Suppurative pneumonia was further divided into acute (8/17), subacute (6/17) and chronic (3/17) based on the morphological pattern of lesions. Rhodococcus equi was identified in all...
Prevalence and Prognostic Impact of Equus caballus Papillomavirus Type 2 Infection in Equine Squamous Cell Carcinomas in Western Canadian Horses. Equus caballus papillomavirus type-2 (EcPV-2) has been proposed as a causal factor in equine genital squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study had 2 objectives: first, calculate the frequency of papillomavirus (PV) and EcPV-2 infection in papillomas, carcinomas in situ (CIS), and SCCs in Western Canadian horses; and second, determine if EcPV-2 status of equine SCCs is associated with overall survival (OS). EcPV-2 status of 115 archived tissue samples, spanning 6 years, was determined using broad spectrum (MY09/11) and EcPV-2-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, EcPV-2-E6/E7 chromog...
Morphological abnormalities in ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from domestic animal species in Sudan. Morphological abnormalities in ticks have rarely been reported in nature. The existing knowledge about anomalies in ticks collected in Africa is very sparse. In this paper, we describe abnormalities in Amblyomma, Hyalomma, and Rhipicephalus ticks collected from cattle, sheep, goats, camels, and horses in Kassala and North Kordofan states, Sudan, between January and August 2017. A number of 15 adult ticks displayed one or several local anomalies, such as ectromely, abnormalities of the ventral plates, and body deformities, besides newly described multiple cuticula scars. This study presents th...
Equine endometritis: a review of challenges and new approaches. Endometritis in the mare begins as a normal physiological inflammatory response to breeding that involves both a mechanical and immunological response pathway activated to rid the uterus of semen and bacteria. With successful resolution of this inflammation, the mare's uterus will provide a hospitable environment for the development of the semi-allogenic conceptus. If the mare fails to resolve this inflammatory response within 48 h of breeding, she will become susceptible to persistent breeding-induced endometritis (PBIE) which will have detrimental effects on her fertility. This condition can...
Use of serum amyloid A in serum and synovial fluid to detect eradication of infection in experimental septic arthritis in horses. While serum amyloid A (SAA) has been investigated as a potential marker for septic arthritis in horses, no study has reported on whether SAA can be used to detect eradication of joint infection. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate whether the eradication of joint infection in experimentally induced septic arthritis in horses can be detected using serum and synovial fluid SAA. A total of 17 horses were randomly assigned to 3 groups. A middle carpal joint of each horse was injected with saline (control group, = 3), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (nonseptic synovitis group, = 6)...
Insight From Animals Resistant to Prion Diseases: Deciphering the Genotype – Morphotype – Phenotype Code for the Prion Protein. Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases endemic in humans and several ruminants caused by the misfolding of native prion protein (PrP) into pathological conformations. Experimental work and the mad-cow epidemic of the 1980s exposed a wide spectrum of animal susceptibility to prion diseases, including a few highly resistant animals: horses, rabbits, pigs, and dogs/canids. The variable susceptibility to disease offers a unique opportunity to uncover the mechanisms governing PrP misfolding, neurotoxicity, and transmission. Previous work indicates that PrP-intrinsic differences (s...
Transboundary spread of equine influenza viruses (H3N8) in West and Central Africa: Molecular characterization of identified viruses during outbreaks in Niger and Senegal, in 2019. Since November 2018, several countries in West and Central Africa have reported mortalities in donkeys and horses. Specifically, more than 66,000 horses and donkeys have succumbed to disease in Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal. Strangles caused by Streptococcus equi subsp equi, African Horse Sickness (AHS) virus, and Equine influenza virus (EIV) were all suspected as potential causative agents. This study reports the identification of EIV in field samples collected in Niger and Senegal. Phylogenetic analysis of the hemagglutinin and neuraminida...
Whole-Blood Validation of a New Point-of-care Equine Serum Amyloid A Assay. Serum amyloid A (SAA) is considered a major acute phase protein (APP) in horses. Serum amyloid A stall-side assays are commercially available to assess the inflammatory response of patients with various infectious and noninfectious conditions. The objective of this study was to determine the analytical performance of a new point-of-care (POC) assay for the measurement of SAA in whole blood and plasma of horses. One hundred and sixty blood samples were collected from 60 horses at various time points after immunization with an equine core vaccine. Analytical validation of the SAA POC assay inclu...
