Equine diseases encompass a wide range of health conditions that can affect horses, including infectious diseases, metabolic disorders, and genetic conditions. These diseases can impact the overall health, performance, and well-being of horses. Common equine diseases include equine influenza, equine herpesvirus, laminitis, and equine metabolic syndrome. Diagnosis and management of these diseases often require a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and appropriate treatment strategies. This page gathers peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment options for various equine diseases, providing valuable insights for veterinarians and researchers in the field.
Lloyd-Edwards RA, Mulders E, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Veraa S. Headshaking is a common condition in horses, most cases are presumed idiopathic/trigeminal-nerve mediated. Diagnostic work-up of a headshaking horse may involve computed tomography (CT) of the head to exclude causative structural pathology. The relevance of the presence and severity of hyoid apparatus findings at CT to headshaking is unknown. A retrospective analysis of CT changes in the hyoid apparatus in horses was carried out. Comparisons were performed between horses with signs of headshaking and a control population and a subgroup of horses with signs of headshaking and no other 'likely...
Mizuguchi Y, Niwa H, Inoue H, Iwano H.Hypoproteinaemia/hypoalbuminaemia is a typical clinical feature of Lawsonia intracellularis infection in horses, but amino acid perturbations in these horses have not been investigated. Objective: Clarifying blood amino acid levels in horses suffering from Lawsonia intracellularis infection to identify novel aspects of the disease. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Methods: A total of 135 serum samples collected from horses from 59 farms were used in this study. Horses diagnosed with the clinical form of equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE) were enrolled as a clinical group (n =...
Rodrigues APDC, Pozzobon R, De Bastiani G, De La Côrte FD, Azevedo MDS.Lameness, which arises from functional or structural changes in the limbs or axial skeleton, causes asymmetry in the movement of the equine head and/or pelvis. This study aimed to investigate the lameness patterns of horses that underwent lameness examination or monitoring during the years 2016 to 2020. This retrospective study used data from the lameness examination, evaluated using an objective assessment with body-mounted wireless inertial sensors. The lameness examination comprised clinical history, static inspection, palpation, gait evaluation (for which the animals were equipped with a w...
Kuhn KG, Shelton K, Sanchez G, Zamor R, Bohanan K, Nichols M, Morris L, Robert J, Austin A, Dart B, Bolding B, Maytubby P, Vogel J, Stevenson B.West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most widespread and frequently reported mosquito-borne disease in the US, with a high risk of outbreaks. Accurate surveillance of WNV is complicated by many mild or asymptomatic infections, resulting in human cases being under-reported and disease distribution and transmission not being well understood. In this study, we investigated how wastewater surveillance can be used for monitoring WNV in Oklahoma. We analyzed samples collected from wastewater treatment facilities in 16 counties during July 1 to September 31, 2023, for the presence of WNV genetic material and...
Duaso J, Perez-Ecija A, Martínez E, Navarro A, De Las Heras A, Mendoza FJ.Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is a tick-borne disease affecting equids worldwide. Diagnosis is based on direct methods (blood smear or PCR) or indirect methods (serology); however, these techniques yield positive and negative results. Thus, an alternative, reliable, rapid, and cost-effective complementary tool, such as hematologic parameters and newly described hematologic ratios, could help in the EP diagnosis. This study describes the changes induced by piroplasmosis infection on hematologic parameters and ratios in horses. PCR-positive horses exhibited anemia and thrombocytopenia, whereas PCR...
Pinn-Woodcock TL, Aprea MS, Lejeune M, Tomlinson JE.A common diagnostic approach for febrile horses is to test for a panel of potential pathogens. Panels are curated by expert opinion and vary between diagnostic laboratories. Objective: To report the results of a newly developed equine fever diagnostic panel (EFDP) between 2019 and 2023 and evaluate the frequency of positive results. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study. Methods: The EFDP requires submission of whole blood, nasal swab, and faecal samples, and includes PCR tests for 12 pathogens that can present as fever without localising signs of illness or infection. Submission metadata a...
Birkmann K, Waldern N, Jucker S, Balaschitsch K, Zablotski Y, Fettelschoss-Gabriel A.Recurrent urticaria is common in horses. The pathophysiology is poorly understood and treatment options are limited. Often, only glucocorticoids are effective for controlling clinical signs, albeit with potential adverse effects. Studies investigating new treatments need a validated objective scoring system for the grading of skin lesions to assess response. Objective: The aims were to investigate inter- and intraobserver reliability of the Equine Urticaria Activity Score (EqUAS) for the grading of skin lesions in horses with recurrent urticaria, and to examine agreement between experienced an...
Ballados-González GG, Cruz-Romero A, Martínez-Hernández JM, Aguilar-Domínguez M, Vieira RFC, Grostieta E, Becker I, Sánchez-Montes S.Hemotropic mycoplasmas (HM) are emerging pathogens known to infect a wide range of mammals, including ungulates like horses. These infections can lead to severe haematological conditions, posing a threat to animal health and welfare. Recent studies have begun shedding light on the prevalence and impact of HM on horse populations worldwide. For instance, in Germany, Iran, Nigeria, and Brazil, at least three species of HM have been identified in horses, with a lack in knowledge in Latin American countries like Mexico. Our research aims to fill a crucial knowledge gap regarding the presence of HM...
Franco JJ, Gonzálvez M, Cano-Terriza D, Barbero-Moyano J, Jose-Cunilleras E, Alguacil E, García J, García-Bocanegra I.Equine viral arteritis is a notifiable infectious disease with sanitary and economic implications at a global scale. A cross-sectional serosurvey was performed to determine the exposure of equids to the Alphaarterivirus equid [Equine Arteritis Virus (EAV)] in three regions in western Europe. Serum samples from 1425 equids (1196 horses, 104 donkeys, and 125 mules/hinnies) from Catalonia (northeastern Spain), Andalusia (southern Spain) and southeastern United Kingdom (UK) were collected during the period 2011-2023. The overall EAV seroprevalence in EAV-unvaccinated equids was 9.7 % (138/1425; 9...
Vitale V, Velloso Álvarez A, de la Cuesta-Torrado M, Neira-Egea P, Vandecandelaere M, Tee E, Gimeno M, van Galen G.In human medicine, neurological diseases have been associated with transient cardiac abnormalities. In horses, myocardial disease is rarely diagnosed and has been associated with a wide variety of causes. The aim of this article is to describe three horses with no previous cardiac disease, which all developed severe cardiomyopathy following neurological disease. A 5-year-old Shetland pony stallion was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy with arrhythmias following an episode of seizures caused by an accidental intra-arterial xylazine injection. A 20-year-old crossbred mare was hospitalised for an ope...
Jimenez C, Hogan P, Belaghi R, Curtiss A.Epiglottitis is an uncommon upper airway pathology manifested endoscopically by mucosal oedema, reddening and thickening of the epiglottic mucosa. Literature on epiglottitis in horses is sparse. Objective: To describe the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses diagnosed with epiglottitis at a single centre. A secondary objective is to demonstrate the efficacy of inhaled and topical anti-inflammatories for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: Medical records (2009-2023) were reviewed for racehorses treated for epiglottitis. Data coll...
Connolly KM, Estell K.Dysphagia describes a clinical sign of pathologies of the oral cavity, pharynx, and oesophagus that carries potentially serious consequences for horses. Given the diversity of differential diagnoses that may cause dysphagia, an understanding of the prevalence of dysphagia in hospitalised patients, the distribution of aetiologies and clinical outcomes could inform diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Objective: This study aims to describe the incidence, signalment, history, aetiology, treatment, and outcome of horses presenting to a referral hospital for dysphagia. Methods: Retrospective case s...
Punyadarsaniya D, Taesuji M, Rattanamas K, Ruenphet S.Standard serological tests post-vaccination, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), complement fixation, and virus neutralization, are crucial for monitoring African horse sickness (AHS). However, the availability of commercial test kits such as blocking ELISA varies by regions; while they are commonly used in Africa and Europe, their limited availability and high cost in Thailand present significant challenges. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate an alternative approach using an in-house indirect ELISA based on cell-based monovalent and polyvalent strains of live attenuated AH...
de Sousa ALV, de Sousa DER, de Macêdo IL, de Albuquerque Cerqueira L, da Fonseca YNG, Oliveira AB, das Chagas LVS, Gonçalves GB, Veado HC....This report describes the first documented case of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in a horse following Bothrops snakebite envenomation. A 3-year-old mare developed acute kidney injury, systemic hemorrhage, and neurological signs before euthanasia. Postmortem findings confirmed massive ICH with intralesional venom identified by immunohistochemistry. Delayed treatment and insufficient antivenom likely contributed to the outcome. This case highlights the potential for cerebrovascular complications following Bothrops snakebite envenomation in horses, which may present as subtle neurological signs....
Schollmeyer M, Liebler-Tenorio EM, Felton C, Kohl S, Ulrich R.A 34-year-old Haflinger gelding presented with a unilateral, expansile, intranasal mass that regrew after partial excision. After euthanasia, a large pedunculated mass that originated from the left caudal maxillary sinus and obliterated the left nasal cavity was seen by radiological and macroscopic examination. Histopathology revealed a poorly cellular, expansile, well-vascularized neoplasm composed of a loosely arranged meshwork of spindle cells and collagen fibres. Spindle cells were immunopositive for alpha-smooth muscle actin and occasionally for vimentin, whereas endothelial cells immunol...
Beck AA, Paz LB, Frank MI, Pereira RCF, De La Côrte FD.To evaluate the effect of IA injections of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in horses with chronic, naturally occurring distal tarsal osteoarthritis. Unassigned: 9 horses were selected after physical and radiographic assessments. Horses also underwent an objective lameness examination and were included if they had a hindlimb impact lameness (Pmin ≥ 3 mm), which positively responded (≥ 50%) to the tarsometatarsal and centrodistal joints' anesthetic block. Horses randomly received an intra-articular injection of BoNT-A or an equivalent volume of saline solution. Horses were reevaluated at pos...
Toft K, Mardahl M, Hedberg-Alm Y, Anlén K, Tydén E, Nielsen MK, Honoré ML, Fromm B, Nielsen LN, Nejsum P, Thamsborg SM, Cirera S, Pihl TH.Non-strangulating intestinal infarctions (NSII) associated with Strongylus vulgaris infection and idiopathic peritonitis (IP) share similar clinical presentation but require different treatment approaches. Horses with NSII need surgical intervention, while idiopathic peritonitis cases can be successfully treated with antimicrobials. A correct diagnosis is thus crucial, but because the two diseases overlap in clinicopathological features, differentiation is difficult in clinical practice. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs that exhibit measurable changes in abundance in tissues and circulat...
Bhoora RV, Mbaba TV, Troskie M, Ackermann RE, Collins NE.Theileria haneyi is an apicomplexan parasite closely related to Theileria equi, a known causative agent of equine piroplasmosis. The molecular distinction between these parasites relies on a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, which has been reported to be unreliable. A recently reported indirect ELISA based on equi merozoite antigen 11 (Thema-11) of T. haneyi can detect geographically diverse T. haneyi strains. Since the ema-11 gene is exclusive to T. haneyi, it was chosen as the target for developing a TaqMan minor groove binder (MGB™) quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Published...
Kadic LIM, Liu CC, Riggs LM.The aim of this study was to compare the monotonic tensile strength and fatigue strength of a stainless steel cable (SSC) compared to a human non-metallic polymer cable (NMPC) in an metacarpophalangeal joint arthrodesis model lacking a dorsal plate application.An experimental biomechanical equine cadaver limb study. Ten metacarpophalangeal joints were collected from five adult Thoroughbred horses, euthanatized for reasons unrelated to orthopaedic disease. Each pair of metacarpophalangeal joints was randomly instrumented with either a 1.7-mm SSC or a NMPC. Each construct was tested in cyclic ...
Secor EJ, Womack SJ, Ysebaert MP, Colville MJ, Reesink HL.Synovial fluid (SF) is an ideal sentinel fluid for osteoarthritis (OA) diagnosis and prognostication due to its critical homeostatic role, proximity to articular tissues and immune cell composition. Untargeted proteomics enable identification of soluble markers for diagnostic and therapeutic applications while minimising bias. Objective: To use liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to define the SF proteome in horses with and without carpal OA. The goal was to identify differentially regulated proteins in mild-moderate carpal joint disease compared with healthy joints. Meth...
Berner D, Hellige M, Harvey GG, Gerlach K, Iglesias-Garcia M, Manso-Diaz G.Paranasal sinus cysts (PSC) and progressive ethmoid haematomas (PEH) are regularly observed in the paranasal sinus system. Due to their different prognosis and treatment options, differentiation of both lesions prior to surgery on computed tomographic (CT) images is important for guidance. It was hypothesised that PSC and PEH can be reliably differentiated on CT images. The database of four European equine referral centres were retrospectively searched for horses that had undergone a CT examination of the head and had a confirmed PSC or PEH. Additionally, cases with confirmed sinusitis were se...
Cito F, Di Francesco CE, Averaimo D, Chiaverini A, Alessiani A, Di Domenico M, Cresci M, Rulli M, Cantelmi MC, Di Bernardo MD, Giammarino A.... subsp. (SEZ) is a major problem in equine veterinary medicine. Typically, a commensal in horses, SEZ can cause severe disease including respiratory infections, septicaemia and reproductive tract infections under certain conditions. Recent evidence suggests that humans can also develop severe disease infection through direct contact with infected animals or the consumption of contaminated unpasteurised milk and milk products. This study investigates SEZ strains isolated from nasal swabs of equidae in central Italy in 2023 to describe the epidemiology and genomic characteristics of circulating...
Thieulent CJ, Carossino M, Reis JKPD, Vissani MA, Barrandeguy ME, Valle-Casuso JC, Balasuriya UBR.Equine Infectious Anemia Virus (EIAV), the causative agent of Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), presents a significant threat to equine populations worldwide. While local EIAV prevalence has been estimated in several studies, no global prevalence has been determined. Thus, this study aimed to review the literature on EIAV prevalence in the 21st century. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar, SciELO.org, African Journals Online, and NZresearch.org, yielding 105 articles published between January 1st, 2000, and December 31st, 2024 (spanni...
Warren AS, Werner LA, Thombs LA, Rodgerson DH, Spirito MA, Sandow CB, McCracken MJ.To report the impact of ventral midline colopexy on colic, recurrence of large colon volvulus (LCV) and time to next live foal. Methods: Retrospective case control study. Methods: A total of 188 Thoroughbred broodmares surgically treated for LCV (2016-2020). Methods: Horses treated for LCV were grouped based on whether they received a colopexy (CP) or did not (NCP). All broodmares that underwent a second LCV surgery were subsequently categorized into two groups: those that received a colopexy (RCP) and those that did not (NRCP). Differences in the number of horses with large colon compromise, ...
Haegeman L, Foucaud M, Joostens Z, Declercq J, Vinardell T, Kadic D, Mariën T.To describe surgical treatment and outcome for horses with extensive perianal melanomas. Unassigned: Gray horses treated surgically for extensive perianal melanoma between July 1, 2020, and July 31, 2023, were eligible. Horses without the entire perianal skin covered with coalescing or ulcerating melanomas were excluded. Unassigned: 59 horses (30 mares, 27 geldings, and 2 stallions) met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 16 years (range, 7 to 28 years). Clinical signs included tenesmus (n = 53), weight loss (3), and hind limb lameness (1). Six horses presented with no complaints; in these ...
Taylor PM, Gozalo-Marcilla M, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R, Redondo JI, Johnston GM.To present the essence of the presentation 'CEPEF - what we knew then and what we know now' given at the autumn meeting of the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists in 2024, celebrating its 60th anniversary. Methods: (this is not a formal systematic review). PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and the 4th Confidential Enquiry into Equine Perioperative Fatalities (CEPEF4). Search terms used: horse; pony; equine; anaesthesia; anesthesia; recovery; morbidity and mortality. Conclusions: It is well recognized that general anaesthesia carries a greater risk of mortality in horses than in other domestic...
Reinthaler B, Gabner S, Apprich V, Jehle M, Licka T.Equine hoof canker is a chronic proliferative condition of the hoof tissues that is often time-consuming and frustrating to treat. After surgical debridement, topical application of cisplatin (cis-Diamindichlorplatin II) has been reported, requiring repeatedly handling this hazardous substance during bandage changes. Alternatively, intraarterial application of cisplatin could be used, similar to the treatment of some human neoplastic diseases. As the side effects of such a treatment are currently unknown, evaluation of associated risks is necessary before treating live horses. Thus, forelimbs ...
Serpa PBS, Bogers S, Byron C, Cardona G, Patton M.A 1-year-old American Quarter horse was presented with acute onset of right hind lameness. On physical examination, there was synovial effusion of the right tarsocrural joint. Synovial fluid cytology revealed a marked eosinophilic synovitis. Serology indicated evidence of acute and chronic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, although PCR of the synovial fluid was negative. The filly was treated with phenylbutazone and oxytetracycline, and repeated synovial cytology indicated improvement. The filly was discharged with a prescription of minocycline for 30 days. Despite initial improvement, recu...
Dahlgren AR, Careddu F, Norris JW, Adili R, Kropp EM, Li Q, Holinstat M, Biunno I, Balduini A, Tablin F, Shavit JA, Finno CJ.SEL1L is a well-known protein in the endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. While it is known to be expressed in platelets, SEL1L has never been shown to play an active role. Here we find evidence that SEL1L regulates platelet function. We first identified SEL1L through the study of Atypical Equine Thrombasthenia (AET), an autosomal recessive platelet disorder found in Thoroughbred horses. A missense variant in (c.1810A>G p.Ile604Val) was found in AET-affected horses, which we show is associated with decreased protein expression. SEL1L is intracellular in equine platelet...
Fielding CL, Higgins JK, Higgins JC, McIntosh S, Scott E, Giannitti F, Mete A, Pusterla N.Equine coronavirus (ECoV) is associated with clinical disease in adult horses. Outbreaks are associated with a low case fatality rate and a small number of animals with signs of encephalopathic disease are described. Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of two outbreaks of ECoV infection that were associated with an high case fatality rate. Methods: 14 miniature horses and 1 miniature donkey testing fecal positive for ECoV from two related disease outbreaks. Methods: Retrospective study describing the epidemiological findings, clinicopatholo...
Nagore D, García-Sanmartín J, García-Pérez AL, Juste RA, Hurtado A.Specific oligonucleotide probes were designed to develop a new and highly sensitive reverse line blot assay to detect and identify simultaneously different Theileria and Babesia species in horses. The amplified hypervariable V4 region of the 18S rRNA gene was hybridised against different generic and species-specific probes. The survey was conducted over 243 samples of equine blood divided into three different groups: group 1, 24 horses presented as possible clinical piroplasmosis; group 2, 181 clinically healthy free-ranging horses exposed to ticks; group 3, 38 riding horses with unrelated pat...
Bean WJ.The RNAs coding for the nucleoproteins of a panel of influenza isolates from human and nonhuman hosts were compared by RNA-RNA hybridization to determine the extent of genetic diversity of this protein and to determine if related nucleoproteins (NP) are consistently found in viruses from certain hosts. Five nucleoprotein groups were defined. Group 1 contains nearly all of the avian influenza viruses, group 2 includes only certain viruses isolated from gulls, group 3 includes all recent equine influenza strains, group 4 contains only equine/Prague/1/56, and group 5 contains all human and swine ...
Rodriguez M, Hooghuis H, Castaño M.The aetiology, pathogenesis and epizootiology of African horse sickness (AHS) are reviewed with special reference to recent outbreaks in the Iberian peninsula. AHS is a highly fatal insect-borne viral disease of Equidae. It is caused by an Orbivirus (family Reoviridae) and nine serotypes are recognised. Outbreaks occurred in central Spain in 1987 and in southern regions of the Iberian peninsula in 1988, 1989 and 1990. All were associated with serotype 4 of the virus, whereas other occurrences of AHS outside Africa have all been caused by serotype 9. The clinical picture in the outbreaks was ma...
Kirsch MI, Hülseweh B, Nacke C, Rülker T, Schirrmann T, Marschall HJ, Hust M, Dübel S.Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) belongs to the Alphavirus group. Several species of this family are also pathogenic to humans and are recognized as potential agents of biological warfare and terrorism. The objective of this work was the generation of recombinant antibodies for the detection of VEEV after a potential bioterrorism assault or an natural outbreak of VEEV. Results: In this work, human anti-VEEV single chain Fragments variable (scFv) were isolated for the first time from a human naïve antibody gene library using optimized selection processes. In total eleven different s...
Ivester KM, Couëtil LL, Zimmerman NJ.Inhalant exposure to airborne irritants commonly encountered in horse stables is implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory airway disease (IAD) and recurrent airway obstruction (RAO), non-infectious, inflammatory pulmonary disorders that impact the health and performance of horses across all equine disciplines. IAD and RAO have overlapping clinical, cytological, and functional manifestations of the pulmonary response to organic dust and noxious gases encountered in the barn environment. Study of these diseases has provided important but incomplete understanding of the effect of air qualit...
Wise LN, Pelzel-McCluskey AM, Mealey RH, Knowles DP.Equine piroplasmosis, caused by the parasites Theileria equi and Babesia caballi, is a globally important disease, affecting a large percentage of the world's horses. This article serves as a review of these divergent parasites. Discussed are the clinical presentation of disease, diagnosis, and treatment. Special attention is given to the current disease status specifically in North America.
Yamanaka T, Niwa H, Tsujimura K, Kondo T, Matsumura T.On August 2007, we encountered equine influenza epidemic by Florida sub-lineage strain (H3N8) in Japan Racing Association's facilities where 4142 racehorses in total were stabled. The number of new febrile cases sharply increased, but the occurrence was rapidly calmed down within 2 weeks. The morbidity rate in these facilities was 12.8% and the subclinical infection rate of healthy racehorses examined by rapid antigen detection tests was 19.4% at the early stage of epidemic. The serological studies along with the low morbidity rate and the existence of numbers of asymptomatically infected race...
Rudolph JA, Spier SJ, Byrns G, Rojas CV, Bernoco D, Hoffman EP.We recently reported on a linkage study within a Quarter Horse lineage segregating hyperkalaemic periodic paralysis (HYPP), an autosomal dominant condition showing potassium-induced attacks of skeletal muscle paralysis. HYPP co-segregated with the equine adult skeletal muscle sodium channel alpha subunit gene, the same gene that causes human HYPP. We now describe the Phe to Leu mutation in transmembrane domain IVS3 which courses the horse disease. This represents the first application of molecular genetics to an important horse disease, and the data will provide an opportunity for control or e...
Goehring LS, van Winden SC, van Maanen C, Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM.Equine herpesvirus type 1(EHV-1)-associated myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a rare disease affecting the central nervous system and, in particular, the spinal cord of horses. Epidemiologic data are limited, and usually are restricted to the description of a single outbreak. During an observational period of 4 years, we evaluated 9 outbreaks of EHM in The Netherlands. A risk factor analysis was done on the data from 6 outbreaks. Findings were: regular appearance of EHM outbreaks in The Netherlands (2-3/y); strong association of EHM with season; and risk factors, such as breed, sex, age, and fever....
Menzies-Gow NJ, Harris PA, Elliott J.Certain individuals appear to be predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis. Previous studies have predominantly investigated risk factors only after disease occurrence. Objective: To investigate risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis prior to disease occurrence. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Non-laminitic ponies aged ≥7 years were recruited. Body condition score (BCS), height, weight, crest height and thickness were measured and an overnight dexamethasone suppression test performed. Plasma or serum adiponectin, leptin, triglyceride, basal insulin, insulin pos...
Karikoski NP, McGowan CM, Singer ER, Asplin KE, Tulamo RM, Patterson-Kane JC.Laminitis in equids is a clinical syndrome usually associated with systemic disease. Endocrinopathies recently have been recognized as the most common cause of laminitis, with hyperinsulinemia playing a key role. Descriptions of laminitis-associated lesions have been confusing due to the wide range of experimental models used, failure of adequate clinical documentation for naturally occurring cases, lack of separate analysis of inflammatory and endocrinopathic laminitis, and uncertainty regarding normal morphological variation of lamellae. In this study, lamellar morphology and pathology were ...
Kandeil A, Gomaa M, Shehata M, El-Taweel A, Kayed AE, Abiadh A, Jrijer J, Moatasim Y, Kutkat O, Bagato O, Mahmoud S, Mostafa A, El-Shesheny R....Dromedary camels are natural host of the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). However, there are limited studies of MERS-CoV infection of other domestic mammals exposed to infected dromedaries. We expanded our surveillance among camels in Egypt, Tunisia, and Senegal to include other domestic mammalian species in contact with infected camels. A total of 820 sera and 823 nasal swabs from cattle, sheep, goats, donkeys, buffaloes, mules, and horses were collected. Swabs were tested using RT-PCR and virus RNA-positive samples were genetically sequenced and phylogenetically analy...
Olstad K, Hendrickson EH, Carlson CS, Ekman S, Dolvik NI.To transect blood vessels within epiphyseal cartilage canals and observe whether this resulted in ischaemic chondronecrosis, an associated focal delay in enchondral ossification [osteochondrosis (OC)] and pathological cartilage fracture [osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)] in the distal femur of foals, with potential translational value to the pathogenesis of juvenile osteochondritis dissecans (JOCD) in children. Methods: Ten Norwegian Fjord Pony foals were operated at the age of 13-15 days. Two vessels supplying the epiphyseal growth cartilage of the lateral trochlear ridge of the left distal fe...
Kol A, Wood JA, Carrade Holt DD, Gillette JA, Bohannon-Worsley LK, Puchalski SM, Walker NJ, Clark KC, Watson JL, Borjesson DL.Intravenous (IV) injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is used to treat systemic human diseases and disorders but is not routinely used in equine therapy. In horses, MSCs are isolated primarily from adipose tissue (AT) or bone marrow (BM) and used for treatment of orthopedic injuries through one or more local injections. The objective of this study was to determine the safety and lymphocyte response to multiple allogeneic IV injections of either AT-derived MSCs (AT-MSCs) or BM-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) to healthy horses. Methods: We injected three doses of 25 × 10(6) allogeneic MSCs fro...
Harder A, Schmitt-Wrede HP, Krücken J, Marinovski P, Wunderlich F, Willson J, Amliwala K, Holden-Dye L, Walker R.There are three major classes of anthelmintics for veterinary use: the benzimidazoles/prebenzimidazoles, the tetrahydropyrimidines/imidazothiazoles, and the macrocyclic lactones. In nematodes, there are five targets for the existing anthelmintics: the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptor which is the target of tetrahydropyrimidines/imidazothiazoles and indirectly that of the acetylcholineesterase inhibitors; the GABA receptor which is the target of piperazine, the glutamate-gated chloride channel as the target of the macrocyclic lactones, and beta-tubulin as the target of prebenzimidazoles/benz...
Mocchi M, Dotti S, Bue MD, Villa R, Bari E, Perteghella S, Torre ML, Grolli S.Regenerative medicine aims to restore the normal function of diseased or damaged cells, tissues, and organs using a set of different approaches, including cell-based therapies. In the veterinary field, regenerative medicine is strongly related to the use of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which belong to the body repair system and are defined as multipotent progenitor cells, able to self-replicate and to differentiate into different cell types. This review aims to take stock of what is known about the MSCs and their use in the veterinary medicine focusing on clinical reports on dogs and hors...
Keegan KG, Wilson DA, Kramer J, Reed SK, Yonezawa Y, Maki H, Pai PF, Lopes MA.To compare data obtained with an inertial sensor system with results of subjective lameness examinations performed by 3 experienced equine veterinarians for evaluation of lameness in horses. Methods: 106 horses. Methods: Horses were evaluated for lameness with a body-mounted inertial sensor system during trotting in a straight line and via subjective evaluation by 3 experienced equine practitioners who performed complete lameness examinations including lunging in a circle and limb flexion tests. Agreement among evaluators regarding results of subjective evaluations and correlations and agreeme...
Patterson-Kane JC, Karikoski NP, McGowan CM.Laminitis, one of the most debilitating conditions of all equids, is now known to be the result of several systemic disease entities. This finding, together with other recent developments in the field of laminitis research, have provoked a rethink of our clinical and research strategies for this condition. First, laminitis is now considered to be a clinical syndrome associated with systemic disease (endocrine disease, sepsis or systemic inflammatory response syndrome, SIRS) or altered weight bearing rather than being a discrete disease entity. Next, laminitis associated with endocrine disease ...
Vatistas NJ, Snyder JR, Carlson G, Johnson B, Arthur RM, Thurmond M, Zhou H, Lloyd KL.Although gastric ulcers have been identified relatively frequently in racing Thoroughbreds, there have been no large scale studies to determine their effect on health and performance. Two hundred and two Thoroughbred horses in active race training were selected by the attending veterinarians for gastro-endoscopic examination. Images of the stomach mucosa were stored in a digitised format for subsequent evaluation. The number of ulcers and a score of severity were determined. Gastric ulceration of the squamous mucosa was identified in 82% of horses. Seventy-three (39%) horses displayed clinical...
Paillot R.Equine influenza (EI) is a major respiratory disease of horses, which is still causing substantial outbreaks worldwide despite several decades of surveillance and prevention. Alongside quarantine procedures, vaccination is widely used to prevent or limit spread of the disease. The panel of EI vaccines commercially available is probably one of the most varied, including whole inactivated virus vaccines, Immuno-Stimulating Complex adjuvanted vaccines (ISCOM and ISCOM-Matrix), a live attenuated equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccine and a recombinant poxvirus-vectored vaccine. Several other strateg...
Del Bue M, Riccò S, Ramoni R, Conti V, Gnudi G, Grolli S.Equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are of particular interest both for basic research and for the therapeutic approach to musculoskeletal diseases in the horse. Their multilineage differentiation potential gives them the capability to contribute to the repair of tendon, ligament and bone damage. MSCs are also considered a promising therapeutic aid in allogeneic cell transplantation, since they show low immunogenicity and immunomodulating functions.Adipose tissue-derived adult equine stem cells (AdMSC) can be isolated, expanded in vitro and then inoculated into the damaged tissue, eventually i...
Li YY, Liu H, Fu SH, Li XL, Guo XF, Li MH, Feng Y, Chen WX, Wang LH, Lei WW, Gao XY, Lv Z, He Y, Wang HY, Zhou HN, Wang GQ, Liang GD.Getah virus (GETV) was first isolated in Malaysia in 1955. Since then, epidemics in horses and pigs caused by GETV have resulted in huge economic losses. At present, GETV has spread across Eurasia and Southeast Asia, including mainland China, Korea, Japan, Mongolia, and Russia. Data show that the Most Recent Common Ancestor (MRCA) of GETV existed about 145years ago (95% HPD: 75-244) and gradually evolved into four distinct evolutionary populations: Groups I-IV. The MRCA of GETVs in Group III, which includes all GETVs isolated from mosquitoes, pigs, horses, and other animals since the 1960s (fr...
Scepek S, Lindau M.We have investigated the granule fusion events during exocytosis in horse eosinophils by time-resolved patch-clamp capacitance measurements. Stimulation with intracellular GTP gamma S leads to a stepwise capacitance increase by 4.0 +/- 0.9 pF. At GTP gamma S concentrations < 20 microM the step size distribution is in agreement with the granule size distribution in resting cells. Above 80 microM the number of steps is reduced and very large steps occur. The total capacitance increase, however, is unaffected. These results show that at high GTP gamma S concentrations granule--granule fusion o...
Szóstek-Mioduchowska AZ, Lukasik K, Skarzynski DJ, Okuda K.Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 not only regulates cell growth, development, and tissue remodeling, but it also participates in the pathogenesis of tissue fibrosis. In the equine endometrium, the concentration of TGF-β1 is correlated with endometrosis (equine endometrial fibrosis). In other tissues, TGF-β1 induces differentiation of many cell types into myofibroblasts. These cells are characterized by α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression and an ability to deposit excessive amounts of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. The aim of the study was to determine whether TGF-β1 plays...
Lin C, Stahl DA.A total of six 16S rRNA targeted oligonucleotide probes were used to quantify Fibrobacter abundance and diversity in the gastrointestinal contents of a pony. Approximately 12% of the total 16S rRNA extracted from cecal contents hybridized with a Fibrobacter genus-specific probe and a Fibrobacter succinogenes species-specific probe. However, no significant hybridization was observed with a probe for the species. Fibrobacter intestinalis or with three probes for F. succinogenes subspecies. This suggested the presence of a previously undescribed population of F. succinogenes-like organisms. Novel...
van Maanen C, Cullinane A.Equine influenza is one of the most economically important contagious respiratory diseases of horses. In this paper the current state of knowledge of equine influenza virus and the most important aspects of these virus infections, e.g. epidemiology, clinical aspects, pathogenesis and pathology, immunity, diagnosis, treatment, management and vaccination, are reviewed with an emphasis on epidemiology, diagnosis and vaccinology. Many questions have remained and with the advent of improved technology new questions have arisen. Consequently, research priorities should be set in an attempt to answer...
Greene IP, Paessler S, Austgen L, Anishchenko M, Brault AC, Bowen RA, Weaver SC.Epidemics of Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) result from high-titer equine viremia of IAB and IC subtype viruses that mediate increased mosquito transmission and spillover to humans. Previous genetic studies suggest that mutations in the E2 envelope glycoprotein allow relatively viremia-incompetent, enzootic subtype ID strains to adapt for equine replication, leading to VEE emergence. To test this hypothesis directly, chimeric VEEV strains containing the genetic backbone of enzootic subtype ID strains and the partial envelope glycoprotein genes of epizootic subtype IC and IAB strains, as ...
Stephens RM, Derse D, Rice NR.We isolated and characterized six cDNA clones from an equine infectious anemia virus-infected cell line that displays a Rev-defective phenotype. With the exception of one splice site in one of the clones, all six cDNAs exhibited the same splicing pattern and consisted of four exons. Exon 1 contained the 5' end of the genome; exon 2 contained the tat gene from mid-genome; exon 3 consisted of a small section of env, near the 5' end of the env gene; and exon 4 contained the putative rev open reading frame from the 3' end of the genome. The structures of the cDNAs predict a bicistronic message in ...
