Disease prevalence in horses refers to the frequency and distribution of various diseases within equine populations. Understanding disease prevalence is essential for identifying health trends, assessing risk factors, and implementing effective disease management and prevention strategies. Common diseases affecting horses include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, strangles, and equine infectious anemia. The study of disease prevalence involves collecting and analyzing data from veterinary reports, field studies, and laboratory diagnostics. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that investigate the patterns, causes, and implications of disease prevalence in horses, providing insights into equine health management and epidemiology.
Moyer W, Spencer PA, Kallish M.The relative incidence of dorsal metacarpal disease was examined in two groups of Thoroughbred racehorses training on dissimilar surfaces (dirt and wood fibre). The horses and training methods appeared to be similar. The incidence of disease was significantly greater in the group training on dirt. There was no significant difference in the age distribution of incidence between the two groups and there was no association of incidence with sex or age within the training group. The number of fast miles worked by the two groups prior to the onset of dorsal metacarpal disease was lower in the group...
Donahue JM, Smith BJ, Redmon KJ, Donahue JK.A study was conducted to evaluate a recently available fluorescent antibody test (FAT) conjugate for the detection of leptospires in tissues of aborted and stillborn horses, to determine the leptospira antibody titers and compare serologic test results with FAT results, and to determine the prevalence of leptospira-induced abortions and stillbirths in the equine population of central Kentucky. From July 1, 1988 through June 30, 1989, 15 (2.5%) of 594 submissions (fetuses, stillborn foals, and/or placentas) were diagnosed as leptospirosis by the FAT (14 of 15 tested) and/or microscopic agglutin...
Jensen T, Washino RK.Daily survivorship, duration of the gonotrophic cycle, absolute abundance and season-long relative abundance were estimated for Aedes melanimon in the Sacramento Valley of California in 1987 and 1988 using mark-release-recapture (MRR) techniques and by monitoring changes in the abundance and parity rate of the native population. One objective of these studies was to determine the extent to which A. melanimon was biologically capable of serving as a horizontal arbovirus vector. Daily survivorship was estimated to be 0.90 and 0.84 in MRR studies conducted in September 1987 and August 1988, 0.89 ...
Sweeney CR, Maxson AD, Soma LR.The frequency of upper respiratory tract abnormalities was determined in a selected population of racing Thoroughbreds. The prevalence of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia was 34.2%; left laryngeal hemiplegia was 1.8%; and epiglottic entrapment was 0.74%. Excluding pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia and tracheal exudate, 3.7% of the population examined had upper respiratory tract abnormalities.
Payne RC, Sukanto IP, Djauhari D, Partoutomo S, Wilson AJ, Jones TW, Boid R, Luckins AG.Cattle, buffaloes and horses in several areas of Indonesia were examined for evidence of infection with Trypanosoma evansi by the microhaematocrit centrifugation technique (MHCT) and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detection of antibodies to T. evansi. Evidence of infection was found in animals at each sampling site although differences were seen in prevalence rates between sites. Prevalence rates in buffalo were usually higher than in cattle in the same area while in horses they were much lower than in cattle or buffalo. An age-dependent prevalence rate was seen in buffalo an...
Kölbl S, Schuller W, Pabst J.944 serum samples of horses, collected in 1988 and 1989, were examined for the occurrence of antibodies against equine arteritis virus by a microneutralizations test. In 10.9% of all sera reactors could be found. The distribution of seropositive horses varied from 4.6% (Salzburg) to 15.7% (Lower Austria). From Tyrol and Vorarlberg no samples could be obtained. It was not possible, to correlate clinical symptoms (infertility, respiratory symptoms, fever and edema) with the infection. It is assumed, that the disease appears in Austria only in a clinical inapparent form.
Baldwin JL, Cooper WL, Vanderwall DK, Erb HN.Serum samples for determination of IgG concentration were obtained between postpartum hours 18 and 48 from 132 Standardbred foals. Results of the IgG assay were not known to farm personnel. None of the foals was given plasma IV for treatment of hypogammaglobulinemia. Foal health records were examined retrospectively to determine prevalence of infectious-type illness (foal treatment days [FTD]), prevalence of life-threatening infectious illness (foal treatment days-serious condition [FTD-SC]), and number of diseases (NOD) per foal. Values for FTD, FTD-SC, and NOD per foal were compiled for the ...
Dugan SJ, Curtis CR, Roberts SM, Severin GA.Proportional hospital accession ratios for equine ocular/adnexal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) were determined for 14 colleges of veterinary medicine participating in the Veterinary Medical Data Program between January 1978 and December 1986. Comparison of the ratios with their respective geographical, physical data has shown an increased prevalence of SCC with an increase in longitude, altitude, or mean annual solar radiation. In contrast, prevalence of SCC increased with a decrease in latitude. Between January 1978 and December 1988, 147 horses with ocular/adnexal SCC were admitted to the Co...
Brocard P, Pfister K.Between March 1988 and December 1989, 198 gastrointestinal tracts from slaughtered horses from different areas of Switzerland have been analysed for the presence and the frequency of Gasterophilus spp. During the same period--always between July and November--200 horses from selected areas of Western Switzerland have been checked for the presence of eggs and their subsequent developmental stages in order to investigate further clinical and biological aspects of this infection. The evaluation has been performed according to origin, age, sex, colour of the horse and seasonal pattern of the cases...
Payne RC, Sukanto IP, Graydon R, Saroso H, Jusuf SH.During an outbreak of trypanosomiasis in cattle, buffalo and horses on the island of Madura, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in the region. Blood samples were collected from 130 cattle and 147 buffalo in 5 villages, whole blood was examined for trypanosomes by the microhaematocrit (MHCT) method and serum samples were subjected to an enzyme linked immuno absorbent assay to detect T. evansi antibodies. T. evansi was detected by MHCT in 50% of the buffalo examined and 13% of the cattle, while antibodies were detected in 47% of the buffalo and 30% of the ca...
Friedhoff KT, Tenter AM, Müller I.The geographical distribution of Babesia equi and Babesia caballi and their tick vectors is discussed. Control of infections with these protozoa is hampered by the lack of a suitable antiprotozoal drug and a reliable serological test. No vaccine is available. Ehrlichia risticii (the causal agent of Potomac horse fever) and E. equi are rickettsial parasites which are difficult to control. Little is known of their geographical distribution and vectors. Early diagnosis is required for tetracycline therapy to be effective and there is a need for a rapid test to provide an early diagnosis.
Rikihisa Y, Reed SM, Sams RA, Gordon JC, Pretzman CI.In August 1986, an extensive serosurvey for prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies against Ehrlichia risticii, the causative agent of equine monocytic ehrlichiosis (EME), was performed at 2 Ohio racetracks, River Downs (RD) and Beulah Park (BP). Of 840 horses at RD and 574 at BP, 13 and 20%, respectively, were IgG antibody-positive (by indirect fluorescent antibody test results), with antibody titer ranging from 1:20 to 1:10,240. The titer observed at highest frequency at both racetracks was 1:80. A higher proportion of horses was ill at RD (operating during the summer months) than at BP (winter...
Käsbohrer A, Schönberg A.The prevalence of B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme Borreliosis in humans, was determined in domestic animals living in Berlin. 189 dogs, 29 cats, 224 horses and 194 cows were investigated. Using the indirect immunofluorescence test (IFT) 5.8% of the dogs and 24.5% of the cows investigated showed a positive reaction at titres of 1:128 or higher. Horses and cats gave negative results. ELISA was more sensitive than IFT. 10.1% of the dogs, 16.1% of the horses and 66% of the local cows showed positive reaction. Domestic animals seem to be in contact with B. burgdorferi and can be a reser...
Loftin MK, Levine JF, McGinn T, Coggins L.State veterinarians in 11 southeastern states completed a questionnaire designed to determine the proportion of equids in the region that were seropositive for equine infectious anemia (EIA). Cases of EIA were diagnosed in each of the states surveyed. Distinct geographic clusters of cases were apparent in Tennessee and Kentucky adjacent to the Mississippi River, in the Piedmont of North Carolina at the Virginia border, in north central Georgia, and throughout the Florida peninsula. It is suggested that the national EIA program could be improved by standardization and wider application of unifo...
Mfitilodze MW, Hutchinson GW.A postmortem survey of 57 horses in tropical northern Queensland revealed 41 (89%) infected with intestinal strongyles. Thirty-five strongyle species (8 large strongyles and 27 small strongyles [Cyathostominae]) were recorded of which 9 species are reported from Australia for the first time. The 14 most prevalent small strongyles were Cyathostomum catinatum (in 76% of horses), Cyathostomum coronatum (65%), Cyathostomum pateratum (33%), Cyathostomum labiatum (30%), Cylicostephanus calicatus (70%), Cylicostephanus longibursatus (67%), Cylicostephanus goldi (43%), Cylicostephanus minutus (26%), C...
Olchowy TW, Ames TR, Molitor TW.Antibody titer to Ehrlichia risticii was determined, in 2,549 equine serum samples, using an indirect fluorescent antibody assay. During 1986, samples were obtained from the Minnesota State-Federal Equine Infectious Anemia Diagnostic Laboratory, the Minnesota Racing Laboratory, from horses admitted to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and as a result of field investigations of horses with acute diarrhea. Results of the study revealed antibody prevalence of 33, 24, 47, and 25% for the respective groups. There was no statistical association between seropositive status and...
Bernard WV, Cohen D, Bosler E, Zamos D.Blood samples obtained from 13 of 100 (13%) and 6 of 91 (7%) horses at the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals in the months of June and October, respectively, had antibody to Borrelia burgdorferi as determined by ELISA. Horses from the states of New York, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania were seropositive for B burgdorferi. The frequency of antibody response in horses from New Jersey was greater (P less than 0.05) than the frequency of antibody response in horses from Pennsylvania or that of horses from the other states combined. Statistically significant difference w...
Cámara A, Contigiani MS, Medeot SI.A serologic survey of horses for Kairi (KRI) and Cache Valley (CV), two related Bunyaviruses, was conducted simultaneously in Cordoba and Santa Fe provinces, Argentina, during late 1983 and 1984. The prevalence of neutralizing antibodies only for KRI was 13.3% and only for CV was 40.0%; but if the total positive sera for KRI and CV were taken into account, the prevalence reached 48.3 and 75.0%, respectively. The prevalence for CV was higher than for KRI in Cordoba (p less than 0.01), but both were similar in Santa Fe province. The demonstration of seroconversion in horses of the two zones for ...
McDade JE.Ehrlichiae are one of several kinds of obligate intracellular bacteria. Taxonomically, they are grouped with rickettsiae, but they can be distinguished by their unique tropism for circulating leukocytes. Ehrlichia canis causes a pancytopenia in dogs that becomes chronic if untreated. Certain breeds develop severe infections, characterized by fever, anorexia, dramatic weight loss, marked pancytopenia, anemia, peripheral edema, and hemorrhage. Ehrlichia risticii, a recently discovered species, is the cause of a serious diarrheal disease of horses. Other species of ehrlichiae have been documented...
Sellers RF, Maarouf AR.Backward trajectories of winds were determined to identify possible sources of eastern equine encephalitis virus associated with isolation of virus from mosquitoes or birds or outbreaks in horses between 1980 and 1985 in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Michigan, USA. The results of the trajectory analyses suggested that eastern equine encephalitis virus could have been carried by infected mosquitoes on surface winds at temperatures 13 degrees C or higher from North Carolina north-eastwards along the Atlantic Coast to Maryland and New Jersey and thence to upstate New York and from western Ke...
Campbell GL, Reeves WC, Hardy JL, Eldridge BF.Neutralization tests were done on sera from 141 horses from high elevation regions of California. Antibody prevalences to Jamestown Canyon, snowshoe hare, and California encephalitis viruses in the California serogroup and Northway virus in the Bunyamwera serogroup were 55%, 43%, 18%, and 46%, respectively. In 51 horses from rural low elevation regions, seroprevalences were 31%, 35%, 35%, and 37%, respectively. Twenty-four horses from a suburban lowland area were seronegative, except for a single horse with a low titer to snowshoe hare virus. Seroprevalence to Jamestown Canyon and snowshoe har...
Fayer R, Mayhew IG, Baird JD, Dill SG, Foreman JH, Fox JC, Higgins RJ, Reed SM, Ruoff WW, Sweeney RW.Following a workshop on equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) convened at the Veterinary Medical Forum of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in 1988, this survey of EPM in North America was developed. It is based upon 364 histologically confirmed case records from California, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and Texas up to 1988. The highest rate of infection was found in young Thoroughbred, Standardbred, and quarter horses. Differences in geographic location, sex, and month (season) of infection were not discernible. This repor...
Drudge JH, Lyons ET, Tolliver SC, Fallon EH.Clinical trials on a central Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm (B) during 1960-1961 involved nine test treatments of mares, yearlings and weanlings (n = 124), and compared efficacies of phenothiazine (PTZ), piperazine (PPZ), mixtures of PTZ + PPZ and thiabendazole (TBZ) for (1) percent reduction and (2) complete clearance or graded reduction of strongyle egg per gram (epg) counts. Three grades of PTZ (N.F. green, micronized purified and 2-3 microns purified) at the dose rate of 55 mg kg-1 were ineffective in six tests; reduction of strongyle epg count were low grade (26%) and complete clearance was f...
Liebermann H.Sera collected from 124 horses were checked by means of the serum neutralisation test against equine Bern virus. Torovirusspecific antibodies were recordable from 35 percent of all horses tested. These results are likely to suggest that toroviruses are widespread in the GDR and occur not only in horses but in other domestic animals and in man, as well.
Murray MJ, Murray CM, Sweeney HJ, Weld J, Digby NJ, Stoneham SJ.Gastroendoscopic examinations were conducted on 75 Thoroughbred foals aged two to 85 days on seven breeding farms in England and Ireland. The foals showed no signs of gastric disease. There was no significant difference between lesion prevalence in foals in England (16 of 28 foals; 57 per cent) or Ireland (22 of 47 foals; 47 per cent). Neither was there any sex predilection (18 of 36 males; 20 of 39 females). Lesions were most prevalent in foals under 10 days old (8 of 9) and least prevalent in foals older than 70 days (3 of 10). Lesions occurred most frequently in the squamous mucosa immediat...
Chagoya-Fuentes JL, Gaona-López J, Hernández-Carbajal GR, Torres-Guerrero H, Lammoglia-Villagómez MA, Huerta-Peña J, Pérez-Brígido CD....A clinical case of an adult horse with invasive, ulcerative, proliferative, pyogranulomatous disease of the skin (tumor) in the shoulder region is presented. The mass had a granulomatous and crater-shaped appearance, with serosanguinous discharge and the presence of fistulas with caseous material. The tumor was removed by surgery and sent to the laboratory for diagnosis. Histopathology was performed using Grocott-Gomori methenamine silver stain. The presence of necrotic material, fibrosis, infiltrated cells, and brown-colored hyphae, characteristic of members of the genus Pythium, were observe...
Cutarelli A, De Falco F, Serpe F, Izzo S, Fusco G, Catoi C, Roperto S.BPV1, BPV2, BPV13, and BPV14 are all genotypes of bovine delta papillomaviruses (δPV), of which the first three cause infections in horses and are associated with equine sarcoids. However, BPV14 infection has never been reported in equine species. In this study, we examined 58 fresh and thawed commercial semen samples from healthy stallions. In 34 (58.6%), bovine δPV DNA was detected and quantified using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). Real time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was able to identify bovine δPV DNA in 5 samples (8.6%). Of the BPV-infected semen samples, 15 were posi...
Mesafint E, Dejene H, Maru M, Tarekegn ZS.We performed this review to determine the weighted prevalence of equids parasitic infections in Ethiopia. Article searches on parasites of equids were conducted using PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Sciences, Scopus, AJOLs and Research Gate. A random effects model was used to estimate the weighted prevalence and to study heterogeneity. The primary searches generated, 3082 potential studies, of which 66 reports met the inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. There were 32 reports involving two or more equids species, eighteen on donkeys, and six...
Hoff GL, Bigler WJ, Buff EE, Beck E.Research and surveillance programs relating to the occurrence and distribution of western equine encephalomyelitis virus in Florida, conducted between 1955 and 1976, suggest that the virus is (1) an endemic arbordae, (2) transmitted in a continuous cycle throughout the year by Culiseta melanura mosquitoes, and (3) restricted to fresh water swamps and waterways in central, north, and northwest Florida.
of surveillance testing, April to June 2017International disease occurrence in the second quarter of 2017These are among matters discussed in the most recent quarterly equine disease surveillance report, prepared by Defra, the Animal Health Trust and the British Equine Veterinary Association.