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Topic:Disease
The study of diseases in horses encompasses a wide range of conditions affecting equine health, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic abnormalities. These diseases can impact various systems within the horse, such as respiratory, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal systems, and can lead to significant health challenges. Research in this area focuses on understanding the pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of equine diseases. Common diseases studied include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, and laminitis. This page provides access to peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, clinical presentation, and management strategies of diseases in horses, contributing to the advancement of equine veterinary medicine.
Computed tomographic findings in the pituitary gland and brain of horses with pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction. Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) is the most common endocrinologic disorder of aged horses. Objective: Pituitary glands of PPID-affected horses are larger than those of aged horses without signs of PPID, and the size difference can be detected using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Methods: Eight horses with clinical signs of PPID and supportive endocrinologic test results and 3 aged control (PPID-negative) horses. Methods: Computed tomography examination of the brain and pituitary gland was performed twice in 10 of the 11 horses, approximately 6 months apart. Six PPID-affected ho...
Development and evaluation of a reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for H3N8 equine influenza virus. Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) was applied to the detection of equine influenza virus (EIV). Because equine influenza is caused currently by EIV of the H3H8 subtype, the RT-LAMP primer set was designed to target the hemagglutinin gene of this subtype. The detection limit of the RT-LAMP assay was a virus dilution of 10(-5); which was 10(3) times more sensitive than the Espline Influenza A&B-N test and 10 times more sensitive than a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The specificity of the RT-LAMP assay was examined by usin...
Continuous intravenous infusion of glucose induces endogenous hyperinsulinaemia and lamellar histopathology in Standardbred horses. Endocrinopathic laminitis is frequently associated with hyperinsulinaemia but the role of glucose in the pathogenesis of the disease has not been fully investigated. This study aimed to determine the endogenous insulin response to a quantity of glucose equivalent to that administered during a laminitis-inducing, euglycaemic, hyperinsulinaemic clamp, over 48 h in insulin-sensitive Standardbred racehorses. In addition, the study investigated whether glucose infusion, in the absence of exogenous insulin administration, would result in the development of clinical and histopathological evidence of ...
Paranasal sinus disease in horses. The paranasal sinus system of horses is complex, comprising six pairs of sinuses. Disease processes that can develop in the sinuses include ethmoid hematomas, cysts, neoplasia, and bacterial and fungal infections. Horses that develop paranasal sinus disease vary widely in age. A significant number of clinical conditions involving the paranasal sinuses require a combination of diagnostic tests to determine the specific pathologic process. Because of the anatomic location of the paranasal sinuses and associated chronic conditions that affect many patients, many disease processes involving the pa...
Equine recurrent uveitis: treatment. Equine recurrent uveitis has traditionally been treated with medical management to reduce ocular inflammation and control pain during a single episode. Newer management methods include surgical options such as cyclosporine implantation and vitrectomy. These methods were developed not only to control inflammation but also to eliminate the underlying cause of uveitis in order to prevent recurrence.
Comparison of the cytobrush, cottonswab, and low-volume uterine flush techniques to evaluate endometrial cytology for diagnosing endometritis in chronically infertile mares. Endometritis is the most important cause of infertility in barren mares. The quick method of endometrial cytology (EC) has a relatively high reliability in diagnosing endometrial inflammation in the mare. For reliable cytological results, a collection technique that yields many well-preserved cells representative of a large uterine surface area without causing harm to the reproductive tract is required. The aim of the study was to compare three usually employed techniques for collection of endometrial and inflammatory cells (guarded cotton swab, uterine lavage, and cytobrush) in chronically in...
A follow up study on antibodies against Lawsonia intracellularis in mares and foals from two breeding farms in Germany. Equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) caused by Lawsonia (L.) intracellularis is an emerging disease in foals, particularly in North America. Since a case report in Germany exists, the objective of this study was to examine the incidence of L. intracellularis-antibodies in healthy horses from two German breeding farms. In group 1, serum samples from 24 (year 1) and 16 (year 2) Haflinger mares and their foals were taken. In group 2, over a period of five months, serum samples of six warmblood mares and foals were collected monthly from birth until the foals became seronegative. Serum samples w...
Cross-sectional study of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in horses. Part 2: Risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant Escherichia coli in horses. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria such as antimicrobial-resistant and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli represents a significant problem for human and veterinary medicine. Despite this, the risk factors for faecal carriage of such bacteria by horses in the UK, particularly those in the wider community, have not been well described. Objective: To characterise the risk factors for faecal carriage of antimicrobial-resistant E. coli amongst horses in the mainland UK. Methods: A cross-sectional study of horses recruited by 65 randomly selec...
Hygiene practices to prevent the spread of equine influenza by humans. This paper describes a protocol for hygiene practices that was devised by a practice in which all veterinarians were involved on a daily basis in visiting infected premises, including sampling, treatment of clinical cases and general veterinary work. This protocol was strictly followed when attending an infected or at risk property.
Absence of equid herpesvirus-1 reactivation and viremia in hospitalized critically ill horses. Equid herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) reactivation and shedding can occur in latently infected, asymptomatic animals. Risk factors for reactivation include stress and illness. The risk of asymptomatic shedding in hospitalized, critically ill horses with acute abdominal disease is unknown. This information is important to assess the need for additional biosecurity protocols to prevent spread of EHV-1 in hospitalized critically ill horses with acute abdominal disorders. Objective: To determine the frequency of reactivation and nasal shedding of EHV-1 in hospitalized critically ill horses. Methods: One hun...
Ophthalmic lesions in neonatal foals evaluated for nonophthalmic disease at referral hospitals. To determine types and frequency of ophthalmic lesions detected in neonatal foals evaluated for nonophthalmic disease at 3 veterinary referral hospitals and to investigate associations between systemic and ophthalmic diseases in these foals. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. Methods: 70 foals < 30 days old. Methods: Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed. Signalment, clinical signs, mentation during ophthalmic examination, results of clinicopathologic tests, and diagnosis of systemic disease were recorded. Descriptive data analysis including a χ(2) test for associations was...
Transverse tubules are a common feature in large mammalian atrial myocytes including human. Transverse (t) tubules are surface membrane invaginations that are present in all mammalian cardiac ventricular cells. The apposition of L-type Ca(2+) channels on t tubules with the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) constitutes a "calcium release unit" and allows close coupling of excitation to the rise in systolic Ca(2+). T tubules are virtually absent in the atria of small mammals, and therefore Ca(2+) release from the SR occurs initially at the periphery of the cell and then propagates into the interior. Recent work has, however, shown the occurrence of t tubules in atrial myocytes from sheep. As...
Gene expression of innate Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-type cytokines during early life of neonatal foals in response to Rhodococcus equi. Focusing on the first 3 weeks of life, this study examined the mRNA transcript development of different Th-type cytokines in foals in response to Rhodococcus equi infection in vitro. Results demonstrated the significant up-regulation in expression of Th1-, Th2-, and Th17-type cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12p35, IL-12p40, IL-17, IL-23p19, and TNF-α) in R. equi infection of bronchial alveolar lavage (BAL) cells of 10-day-old foals. Consequently, signature cytokines of 3 Th cell types, IFN-γ (Th1), IL-4 (Th2), and IL-17 (Th17), were used to compare temporal response patterns of circu...
Heaves, an asthma-like disease of horses. Animal models have been developed to investigate specific components of asthmatic airway inflammation, hyper-responsiveness or remodelling. However, all of these aspects are rarely observed in the same animal. Heaves is a naturally occurring disease of horses that combines these features. It is characterized by stable dust-induced inflammation, bronchospasm and remodelling. The evaluation of horses during well-controlled natural antigen exposure and avoidance in experimental settings allows the study of disease mechanisms in the asymptomatic and symptomatic stages, an approach rarely feasible ...
Prevalence of equine herpesvirus type 1 strains of neuropathogenic genotype in a major breeding area of Japan. A single non-synonymous nucleotide substitution of guanine (G) for adenine (A) at position 2254 in the viral DNA polymerase gene (encoded by open reading frame [ORF] 30) of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) has been significantly associated with neuropathogenic potential in strains of this virus. To estimate the prevalence of EHV-1 strains with the neuropathogenic genotype (ORF30 G(2254)) in the Hidaka district--a major horse breeding area in Japan--we analyzed the ORF30 genomic region in cases of EHV-1 infection in this area during the years 2001-2010. Of the 113 cases analyzed, 3 (2.7%) were...
Neutrophilic myeloperoxidase index and mean light absorbance in neonatal septic and nonseptic foals. Two neutrophilic indices reported by the ADVIA 120 Hematology Analyzer, neutrophilic myeloperoxidase index (MPXI), and mean light absorbance (neutrophil X mean [NXM]) have been proposed as indicators of systemic inflammatory disease in horses and of neutrophil activation in coronary ischemic syndromes in people. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate NXM and MPXI in healthy, sick nonseptic, and sick septic foals to determine whether conditions likely associated with neutrophil activation result in decreases in these variables. Methods: In this retrospective study, CBC data from 61 ne...
Antibody drug conjugates – Trojan horses in the war on cancer. Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) consist of an antibody attached to a cytotoxic drug by means of a linker. ADCs provide a way to couple the specificity of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) to the cytotoxicity of a small-molecule drug and, therefore, are promising new therapies for cancer. ADCs are prodrugs that are inactive in circulation but exert their cytotoxicity upon binding to the target cancer cell. Earlier unsuccessful attempts to generate ADCs with therapeutic value have emphasized the important role each component plays in determining the efficacy and safety of the final ADC. Scientific adv...
Alterations in microbiota and fermentation products in equine large intestine in response to dietary variation and intestinal disease. We aimed to determine the effects of variations in dietary composition on equine gut microbiota and their fermentation products, and proposed that dietary modifications profoundly affect microbial ecosystems and their metabolites. Bacterial communities within the large intestine of three groups of horses were compared using oligonucleotide-RNA hybridisation methodology. Each group consisting of six horses was maintained on (1) a grass-only diet, (2) a concentrate diet (i.e. supplemented with hydrolysable carbohydrates) and (3) a concentrate diet but horses were affected by simple colonic obstr...
PAF increases phagocytic capacity and superoxide anion production in equine alveolar macrophages and blood neutrophils. Phagocytosis exerted by alveolar macrophages and neutrophils is crucial in the clearance of exogenous particles deposited in the airways. Therefore, substances that activate these phagocytes in the airways can exert important effects on the particle clearance rate. PAF, particularly, was proved to be a potent activator of several immune cells and was shown to be present in the equine lower airways in specific conditions, such as after exercise. The present study aimed to investigate if PAF is able to increase the phagocytic capacity and the production of superoxide anion in equine alveolar mac...
Ultrasonographic evidence of colonic mesenteric vessels as an indicator of right dorsal displacement of the large colon in 13 horses. This report describes the use of ultrasound to diagnose right dorsal displacement of the large colon (RDDLC) in 13 horses prior to surgery. Horses had ultrasonographic examinations performed of the right lateroventral aspect of the abdomen upon admission to the hospital with a 2-5 MHz broadband curvilinear sector scanning transducer after alcohol was used to wet the hair. First, the caecal vessels were identified in the right flank and followed medially and cranially. Next, each intercostal space, from caudal to cranial, was scanned from dorsal to ventral evaluating for abnormally-located mese...
Influence of mechanical manipulations on the local inflammatory reaction in the equine colon. Large intestinal diseases in horses are characterised by inflammation, which could arise from the disease process with some contribution from intestinal manipulation. The effects of the latter are unknown but important to surgeons and could contribute to post operative complications. Objective: To characterise type and degree of intestinal inflammation induced by various mechanical stimuli in the equine ascending colon. Methods: Laparotomy was performed in 12 horses, the left dorsal colon exteriorised and 3 segments randomly exposed to different mechanical manipulations: 1) enterotomy, 2) ente...
Strongyle egg counts in Standardbred trotters: are they associated with race performance? Strongyle worm burdens are assumed to subclinically affect equine performance. This assumption appears to be particularly pronounced in the equine racing industry. Objective: Race results of Standardbred trotters are negatively affected by high strongyle faecal egg count levels. Methods: Faecal samples were obtained from 213 racing Standardbred trotters, aged ≥ 2 years, and stabled at training facilities of 21 professional trainers with license at racecourses in Denmark. Strongyle egg counts were generated using a McMaster technique. Race results were recorded as the finishing position of th...
Effects of flunixin meglumine on the recovery of ischaemic equine colonic mucosa in vitro. The effects of prostaglandins and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on repair of equine intestinal mucosa are important since most horses with gastrointestinal diseases are routinely treated with NSAIDs, such as flunixin meglumine (FM), and these drugs can be toxic to equine gastrointestinal mucosa. Objective: Flunixin meglumine would not affect recovery of equine colonic mucosa in vitro, 18 h after a reversible ischaemic injury. Methods: In 14 anaesthetised horses, a segment of pelvic flexure was subjected to 2 h of ischaemia and the horses were allowed to recover for 18 h. Seven ...
Endovascular aortic stent graft infection with Streptococcus equi: the first documented case. Streptococcus equi is a common equine infectious disease, but transmission to man is rare and confined to those who commonly come into close contact with horses. Similarly, prosthetic stent graft infection is a rare complication of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. We describe the first reported case of aortic stent graft with S. equi occurring in a professional racehorse trainer. Clinical presentation, investigations, imaging and management of this case are described. In conclusion, clinicians should consider infection with rare organisms in patients with prosthetic implants who regularly ...
Distal border fragments and shape of the navicular bone: radiological evaluation in lame horses and horses free from lameness. The significance of distal border fragments of the navicular bone is not well understood. There are also no objective data about changes in thickness and proximal/distal extension of the palmar cortex of the navicular bone. Objective: To describe the distribution of distal border fragments and their association with other radiological abnormalities of the navicular bone and describe the shape of the navicular bone in sound horses and horses with foot-related lameness, including navicular pathology. Methods: Sound horses had radiographs acquired as part of a prepurchase examination. Lame horses...
