Equine health encompasses the study and management of diseases, disorders, and overall well-being of horses. It involves understanding various physiological systems, preventive care, and treatment strategies to maintain optimal health in equine populations. Common areas of focus include nutrition, infectious diseases, orthopedic conditions, and reproductive health. Research in equine health aims to advance knowledge on diagnostic methods, therapeutic interventions, and management practices that improve horse welfare and performance. This page collects peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the diverse aspects of equine health, offering insights into current findings and advancements in the field.
Sloet van Oldruitenborgh-Oosterbaan MM, Grinwis GC.Equine sarcoidosis seems to be an emerging problem. As more horses are referred for dermatologic disease, equine sarcoidosis should be considered in any case of exfoliative and/or nodular skin disease with or without systemic involvement, including generalized granulomatous disease affecting most internal organs. Multiple breeds are affected with mares being predisposed. Affected horses are typically 3 years or older. The prognosis for generalized granulomatous disease is generally poor, whereas the prognosis for the localized cutaneous form is favorable but may require lifelong treatment.
Wijnberg ID, van der Ree M, van Someren P.Short-duration electroencephalography (EEG) recordings in horses are helpful in diagnosing intracranial disorders. Potentially, long-duration ambulatory EEG (AEEG) recordings in horses will enhance the chance of detecting abnormal brain activity independent of the presence of an insult. Objective: The objective of this study was to test if AEEG recordings in unsedated horses can be acquired and benefit diagnosing abnormal brain activity. Methods: Recordings were taken from 8 adult control horses and 10 patients suspected of intracranial abnormalities. Self-adhesive electrodes and the 'Porti-5'...
Warmuth VM, Campana MG, Eriksson A, Bower M, Barker G, Manica A.Animal exchange networks have been shown to play an important role in determining gene flow among domestic animal populations. The Silk Road is one of the oldest continuous exchange networks in human history, yet its effectiveness in facilitating animal exchange across large geographical distances and topographically challenging landscapes has never been explicitly studied. Horses are known to have been traded along the Silk Roads; however, extensive movement of horses in connection with other human activities may have obscured the genetic signature of the Silk Roads. To investigate the role o...
Gozalo-Marcilla M, Steblaj B, Schauvliege S, Duchateau L, Gasthuys F.Twenty adult healthy horses undergoing elective surgery were involved in this prospective, blinded, clinical study. Horses were randomly allocated to receive a constant rate infusion (CRI) of morphine or dexmedetomidine. After induction, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/air and mechanical ventilation applied. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FÉISO) was initially set at 0.9% and adjusted by the anaesthetist, to maintain a light surgical plane of anaesthesia, according to an objective flow-chart. The cardiopulmonary function was only minimally different between groups...
Nóbrega Neto PI, Luna SP, Queiroz-Williams P, Mama KR, Steffey EP, Carregaro AB.This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine during xylazine and ketamine anesthesia in horses and aimed to correlate these effects with cardiorespiratory variables, bispectral index (BIS) and plasma lidocaine concentrations. Six adult crossbred mares weighing 320-400 kg were anesthetized on three different occasions. Sedation was performed with xylazine (0.75 mg/kg IV) and anesthetic induction with guaifenesin (75 mg/kg IV) and ketamine (2 mg/kg IV). Anesthesia was maintained with 37.5 μg/kg/min of xylazine and 87.5 μg/kg/min of ketamine...
Elmas CR, Koenig JB, Bienzle D, Cribb NC, Cernicchiaro N, Coté NM, Weese JS.Septic synovitis is a potentially debilitating and life-threatening disorder in horses. We hypothesized that a universal bacterial real-time PCR (RT-PCR) assay would have improved sensitivity and decreased turn-around time for detection of bacteria in synovial fluid (SF) samples. Forty-eight SF samples were collected from 36 horses that presented to two referral institutions with suspected septic synovitis. Universal RT-PCR, bacterial culture and SF analysis were performed on all samples, and an interpretation on the sample being septic or not was derived by three board certified specialists f...
Mazzei M, Savini G, Di Gennaro A, Macchioni F, Prati MC, Guzmàn LR, Tolari F.West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae included in the Japanese encephalitis antigenic complex (JEAC). A seroepidemiological study was carried out in 2011 using 160 horse sera collected from different areas of Bolivia to investigate the presence of WNV antibody. A high proportion (59.4%) of the tested sera were positive to a commercially available WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA). Sixty-six randomly selected C-ELISA-positive sera were further tested by WNV plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), virus neutralization ...
Jung JY, Lee KH, Rhyoo MY, Byun JW, Bae YC, Choi E, Kim C, Jean YH, Lee MH, Yoon SS.A 6-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was euthanized after a 2-month period of abnormal neurological signs, such as circling left in his pen and hitting his head and body against the wall. After the horse was euthanized on the farm, a half of the brain and whole blood were submitted for diagnostic tests. Histopathological examination of the brain revealed granulomatous and eosinophilic meningoencephalitis with numerous intralesional nematodes, predominantly affecting the cerebrum. Multifocal malacic foci were scattered in the brain parenchyma. The intralesional parasites were identified as Halicep...
Lohmann KL, Lopez AM, Manning ST, Marques FJ, Brownlie R, Allen AL, Sangster AE, Mutwiri G, Gerdts V, Potter A, Townsend HG.We evaluated the immunogenic and protective potential of a recombinant VapA/CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) 2395 vaccine in neonatal foals undergoing experimental Rhodococcus equi challenge. Foals (n = 8) were vaccinated by intramuscular injection on days 1 and 15 of the study; control foals (n = 7) received a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. All foals were challenged by intrabronchial administration of 5 × 10⁶ R. equi 103⁺ on day 29. Bronchoalveolar lavages were done on days 15, 29, and 36 and total cell count, differential cell count, rVapA-stimulated cell proliferation and inte...
Habershon-Butcher J, Bowen M, Hallowell G.A reliable method for obtaining renal ultrasonographic measurements in the horse is important for diagnosis and monitoring of clinical renal disease. The aims of this prospective study were to develop and validate a novel translumbar ultrasound technique for measuring renal dimensions in horses. Six Thoroughbred or Thoroughbred part bred horses were recruited. All horses were scheduled for euthanasia due to reasons unrelated to the kidneys. Two observers recorded renal length, width, and depth; and dimensions of the cortex, medulla, pyramids, and pelvis for both kidneys in each horse using nov...
Trela JM, Spriet M, Padgett KA, Galuppo LD, Vaughan B, Vidal MA.Intra-arterial (i.a.) and intravenous (i.v.) regional limb perfusions (RLP) through the median artery and cephalic vein, respectively, have been previously investigated for administration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to the equine distal limb. Limitations due to thrombosis of the arteries after i.a. RLP and poor distribution of MSCs to the foot with i.v. RLP were observed. These techniques need to be modified for clinical use. Objective: Evaluate the distribution, uptake and persistence of radiolabelled MSCs after i.a. injection through the median artery without a tourniquet and after i.v....
Hovanessian N, Davis JL, McKenzie HC, Hodgson JL, Hodgson DR, Crisman MV.The purpose of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of firocoxib in neonatal foals. Seven healthy foals were administered 0.1 mg/kg firocoxib orally q24 h for nine consecutive days, commencing at 36 h of age. Blood was collected for firocoxib analysis using high-pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection at 0 (dose #1 only), 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after doses 1, 5, and 9. For all other doses (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8), blood was collected immediately prior to the next dose (24 h trough). Elimination samples (36, 48, 72, 96, 120, and 1...
Witte TH, Wilke M, Stahl C, Jandová V, Haralambus R, Straub R.A 7-year-old 573-kg (1,261 -lb) Swiss Warmblood gelding was evaluated because of signs of acute abdominal pain. Results: Physical examination revealed a markedly distended abdomen with subjectively reduced borborygmi in all abdominal quadrants. A large, gas-distended viscus was present at the pelvic brim preventing complete palpation of the abdomen per rectum. Ultrasonographic evaluation could not be safely performed in the initial evaluation because of severe signs of abdominal pain. Results: Ventral midline celiotomy was performed, and right dorsal displacement of the ascending colon was cor...
Padoan E, Ferraresso S, Pegolo S, Castagnaro M, Barnini C, Bargelloni L.The goal of the present study was to investigate mRNA expression levels of several cytokines and inflammatory mediators in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and respiratory epithelium in recurrent airway obstruction (RAO)-affected horses. RAO, also called heaves, is a common, performance-limiting, equine respiratory disease with clinical signs and pathophysiological similarities to human asthma, and characterized by bronchospasm, neutrophilic infiltration and increased mucus in the airways. Six RAO-affected horses were examined twice within 15 days and seven clinically healthy horses were ex...
Tipton TE, Ray CS, Hand DR.To characterize superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendon lesions in the forelimbs of cutting horses and determine recurrence rate and prognosis for this condition. Methods: Retrospective case series. Methods: 19 cutting horses with SDF tendonitis. Methods: Medical records for horses evaluated for SDF tendonitis in 2007 through 2011 were reviewed. Data regarding age, sex, lameness grade, affected limb, and treatment were collected. Ultrasonographic images were reviewed, and lesion characteristics were recorded. Follow-up telephone interviews with owners or trainers were conducted to determine re...
Cortés-Gutiérrez EI, Dávila-Rodríguez MI, López-Fernández C, Fernández JL, Crespo F, Gosálvez J.The presence of constitutive alkali-labile sites (ALS) has been investigated using a protocol of DNA breakage detection-fluorescence in situ hybridization and comet assay in spermatozoa of donkey (Equus asinus) and stallion (Equus caballus). These results were compared with those obtained using a similar experimental approach using somatic cells. The relative abundance of ALS was of the order of four times more in spermatozoa than in somatic cells. Alkali-labile sites showed a tendency to cluster localized at the equatorial-distal regions of the sperm. The amount of hybridized signal in the AL...
Venner M, Credner N, Lämmer M, Giguère S.The objectives of the present study were to determine the relative efficacy of tulathromycin, azithromycin, or azithromycin with rifampin for the treatment of pulmonary abscesses on a farm with endemic infections caused by Rhodococcus equi. Foals with ultrasonographic evidence of pulmonary abscesses (abscess score 8.0-15 cm; n=120) were randomly allocated in four equal treatment groups: (1) tulathromycin intramuscularly; (2) azithromycin monotherapy, orally; (3) azithromycin with rifampin, orally; (4) saline intramuscularly as a placebo. Physical examination and thoracic ultrasonography were p...
Hartwig FP, Lisboa FP, Hartwig FP, Monteiro GA, Maziero RR, Freitas-Dell'Aqua CP, Alvarenga MA, Papa FO, Dell'Aqua JA.During the cooling process, sperm may suffer irreversible damage that compromises the fertility rate. Incorporating cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) represents a strategy to increase sperm resistance at low temperatures; however, high levels of cholesterol in the cell membrane can interfere with sperm capacitation. The goals of this study were to determine the CLC concentration and cooling temperature that produce optimal kinetic parameters and viability of sperm from stallions identified as bad coolers (BCs) and good coolers (GCs), as well as the effect of adding CLC on the occurrence of...
Clayton HM, O'Connor KA, Kaiser LJ.The objective of this study was to compare forces and pressure profiles beneath a conventional dressage saddle with a beechwood spring tree and a treeless dressage saddle without a rigid internal support and incorporating large panels and a gullet. The null hypothesis was that there is no difference in the force and pressure variables for the two saddles. Six horses were ridden by the same rider using the conventional dressage saddle and the treeless dressage saddle in random order and pressure data were recorded using an electronic pressure mat as the horses trotted in a straight line. The da...
de Graaf-Roelfsema E.One of the principal components of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) is hyperinsulinaemia combined with insulin resistance. It has long been known that hyperinsulinaemia occurs after the development of insulin resistance. But it is also known that hyperinsulinaemia itself can induce insulin resistance and obesity and might play a key role in the development of metabolic syndrome. This review focuses on the physiology of glucose and insulin metabolism and the pathophysiological mechanisms in glucose homeostasis in the horse (compared with what is already known in humans) in order to gain insight ...
Zhen H, Han T, Fennell DE, Mainelis G.We report here that stress experienced by bacteria due to aerosolization and air sampling can result in severe membrane impairment, leading to the release of DNA as free molecules. Escherichia coli and Bacillus atrophaeus bacteria were aerosolized and then either collected directly into liquid or collected using other collection media and then transferred into liquid. The amount of DNA released was quantified as the cell membrane damage index (ID), i.e., the number of 16S rRNA gene copies in the supernatant liquid relative to the total number in the bioaerosol sample. During aerosolization by ...
Ziegler U, Skrypnyk A, Keller M, Staubach C, Bezymennyi M, Damiani AM, Osterrieder N, Groschup MH.West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus of global importance. Over the last two decades, it has been responsible for significant numbers of cases of illness in humans and animals in many parts of the world. In Ukraine, WNV infections in humans and birds were first reported more than 25 years ago, yet the current epidemiological status is quite unclear. In this study, serum samples from over 300 equines were collected and screened in order to detect current WNV activity in Ukraine with the goal to estimate the risk of infection for humans and horses. Sera were tested by enzyme-linked im...
Szóstek AZ, Lukasik K, Galvão AM, Ferreira-Dias GM, Skarzynski DJ.The aim of the study was to characterize endometrial mRNA transcription, immunolocalization, and protein expression of interleukin (IL) 1alpha, IL1beta, IL6, and IL1RI, IL1RII, and IL6Ralpha/beta in the course of endometrosis during the estrous cycle. Additionally, the influence of IL1alpha, IL1beta, and IL6 on prostaglandin (PG) secretion and PG synthase mRNA transcription in endometrial tissue during endometrosis was investigated. The endometrial samples were obtained at the early (n = 12), mid- (n = 12), and late (n = 12) luteal phases and at the follicular (n = 12) phase of the estrous cyc...
Upjohn MM, Pfeiffer DU, Verheyen KL.There are an estimated 112 million Equidae (horses, donkeys, mules) in the developing world, providing essential resources for their owners' livelihoods and well-being. The impoverished situation of their owners and the often harsh conditions in which they work mean that the animals' welfare is a cause for concern. A number of equine non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operate within working equid communities providing veterinary care, education and training programmes aimed at improving equine welfare. However, there is little published information available that describes monitoring and ev...
Ringer SK, Schwarzwald CC, Portier K, Mauch J, Ritter A, Bettschart-Wolfensberger R.The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in blood glucose concentration ([Glu]B), acid-base status and electrolyte concentrations during constant rate infusions (CRI) of two alpha2-adrenergic agonists in seven horses treated in a blinded, randomised, crossover design with xylazine or romifidine. An intravenous (IV) bolus of xylazine (1mg/kg) or romifidine (80 μg/kg) was administered followed by an IV CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg/kg/h) or romifidine (30 μg/kg/h) for 2h. Blood samples were collected from the pulmonary artery before and after loading doses, during the CRI, and for 1h...
Boudreaux MK, Humphries DM.Platelet alloantigens in horses may play an important role in the development of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT). Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate genes encoding major platelet glycoproteins within the Equidae family in an effort to identify potential alloantigens. Methods: DNA was isolated from blood samples obtained from Equidae family members, including a Holsteiner-Oldenburg cross, a Quarter horse, a donkey, and a Plains zebra (Equus burchelli). Gene sequences encoding equine platelet membrane glycoproteins IIb, IIIa (integrin subunits αIIb and β3), Ia (...
Riet-Correa F, Rivero R, Odriozola E, Adrien Mde L, Medeiros RM, Schild AL.In the current study, mycotoxicoses of ruminants and horses are reviewed, with an emphasis on the occurrence of these diseases in South America. The main mycotoxicoses observed in grazing cattle include intoxications by indole-diterpenoid mycotoxins (Paspalum spp. contaminated by Claviceps paspali, Lolium perenne infected by Neotyphodium lolii, Cynodon dactylon infected by Claviceps cynodontis, and Poa huecu), gangrenous ergotism and dysthermic syndrome (hyperthermia) caused by Festuca arundinacea (syn. Festuca elatior) infected by Neotyphodium coenophialum (syn. Acremonium coenophialum), and ...
Sampieri F, Allen AL, Pusterla N, Vannucci FA, Antonopoulos AJ, Ball KR, Thompson J, Dowling PM, Hamilton DL, Gebhart CJ.The objective of this study was to demonstrate the susceptibility of rabbits to Lawsonia intracellularis obtained from a case of clinical equine proliferative enteropathy (EPE). This is a preliminary step toward developing a rabbit infection model for studying pathogenesis and therapy of EPE in horses. Nine does were equally assigned to 3 groups. Animals in 2 groups (Group 1 and Group 2) were orally inoculated with different doses of cell-cultured L. intracellularis. Controls (Group 3) were sham-inoculated. Feces and blood were collected before the rabbits were infected and at 7, 14, and 21 da...
Rodrigues JB, Dixon PM, Bastos E, San Roman F, Viegas C.Dental disease is now recognised as a major but often unrecognised disorder of equids, including horses and donkeys. However, very few large clinical studies have documented the prevalence and type of dental disease present in different equid populations and no dental studies have been reported in Zamorano-Leonés or Mirandês donkeys, two endangered donkey breeds. Clinical and detailed oral examinations were performed in 400 Mirandês and 400 Zamorano-Leonés donkeys in Portugal and Spain. It was found that just 4.5 per cent had ever received any previous dental care. Cheek teeth (CT) disorde...
Mittmann EH, Mömke S, Distl O.Chronic pastern dermatitis (CPD), also known as chronic progressive lymphedema (CPL), is a skin disease that affects draft horses. This disease causes painful lower-leg swelling, nodule formation, and skin ulceration, interfering with movement. The aim of this whole-genome scan was to identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for CPD in German draft horses. We recorded clinical data for CPD in 917 German draft horses and collected blood samples from these horses. Of these 917 horses, 31 paternal half-sib families comprising 378 horses from the breeds Rhenish German, Schleswig, Saxon-Thuringian, a...
Lorch G, Hillier A, Kwochka KW, Saville WA, LeRoy BE.To compare results of intradermal tests (IDT) for environmental allergens at 30 minutes and 4, 6, and 24 hours after injection in horses without atopy and horses with atopic dermatitis (AD) or recurrent urticaria (RU). Methods: 22 horses without atopy, 10 horses with RU, and 7 horses with AD. Methods: In all horses, medical history was obtained, and results of physical examination, hematologic examination, serum biochemical analyses, examination of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and IDT with 73 allergens were examined. Results: Horses with AD or RU had a significantly greater mean number of pos...
Fenton CS, Buckley TC.Rhodococcus equi is a gram positive, intracellular pathogen of foals worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an increasing resistance occurring in Rhodococcus equi towards the antibiotics rifampin and erythromycin over a seven year period. The investigation was carried out with the use of E test strips (epsilometers) for rifampin and erythromycin in order to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC) values of Rhodococcus equi to these antibiotics. Results: The main results of this study found that the mean MICs were higher for erythromycin than for rifam...
Rivero JL, Sporleder HP, Quiroz-Rothe E, Vervuert I, Coenen M, Harmeyer J.The purpose of this study was to determine whether oral L-carnitine supplementation enhances the responses of skeletal muscle to training in seven 2-year-old Standardbreds. Four horses were supplemented with 10 g/day L-carnitine for 10 weeks and 3 horses served as controls. All horses were exercised regularly every second day on a treadmill for 5 weeks (training period) and housed in individual boxes for 5 additional weeks (detraining period). The training period consisted of 8 high- and 8 low-speed exercises carried out in alternating sequence. Gluteus medius muscle biopsies were taken at Wee...
Ghanem YM, Fukushi H, Ibrahim ES, Ohya K, Yamaguchi T, Kennedy M.Viruses related to equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) were isolated from an aborted fetus of an onager (Equus hemionus) in 1984, an aborted fetus of Grevy's zebra (Equus grevyi) in 1984 and a Thomson's gazelle (Gazella thomsoni) with nonsuppurative encephalitis in 1996, all in the USA. The mother of the onager fetus and the gazelle were kept near plains zebras (Equus burchelli). In phylogenetic trees based on the nucleotide sequences of the genes for glycoproteins B (gB), I (gI), and E (gE), and teguments including ORF8 (UL51), ORF15 (UL45), and ORF68 (US2), the onager, Grevy's zebra and gazell...
Brommer H, van Weeren PR, Brama PA.To evaluate a modified digital imaging technique for quantitative assessment of the grade of osteoarthritis across the proximal articular surface of the first phalanx in horses. Methods: 6 metacarpophalangeal (fet-lock) joint specimens from 6 horses with various stages of osteoarthritis. Methods: First phalanx specimens, together with 4 gray scale reference calibration targets, were positioned in a bath with the proximal articular cartilage surface submerged in saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Digital images were obtained from the articular surface before and after staining with Indian ink. Comput...
Zhang J, Wu M, Ma Z, Zhang Y, Cao H.Donkey-hide gelatin is an important traditional Chinese medicine made from donkey skin. Despite decades of effort, identifying the animal materials (donkeys, horses, cattle and pigs) in donkey-hide gelatin remains challenging. In our study, we aimed to identify marker peptides of donkey-hide gelatin and its adulterants and develop a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to identify them. Theoretical marker peptides of four animals (donkeys, horses, cattle and pigs) were predicted and verified by proteomic experiments, and 12 species-specific marker peptides from donkey-hide gel...
Gerhardt R.The accidental introduction of West Nile Virus into New York City from the Old World in 1999 resulted in an epidemic in humans, horses, and birds that swept to the west coast in just 3 years. The virus is transmitted by infective mosquitoes among susceptible native birds, which serve as amplifying hosts. Clinical disease occurs in humans and horses, but not enough virus is produced in their blood to infect other mosquitoes; therefore, humans and horses are considered dead-end hosts. Humans can best protect themselves by remaining indoors during periods of high mosquito activity and/or by using...
Martino NA, Dell'Aquila ME, Filioli Uranio M, Rutigliano L, Nicassio M, Lacalandra GM, Hinrichs K.Evaluation of mitochondrial function offers an alternative to evaluate embryo development for assessment of oocyte viability, but little information is available on the relationship between mitochondrial and chromatin status in equine oocytes. We evaluated these parameters in immature equine oocytes either fixed immediately (IMM) or held overnight in an Earle's/Hank's' M199-based medium in the absence of meiotic inhibitors (EH treatment), and in mature oocytes. We hypothesized that EH holding may affect mitochondrial function and that holding temperature may affect the efficiency of meiotic su...
Scott GS, Crawford WH, Colahan PT.To determine arthroscopic findings in lame horses with subtle radiographic lesions of the medial femoral condyle. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 15 horses examined because of lameness that had subtle radiographic evidence of osteochondral lesions involving the medial femoral condyle in at least 1 joint. Methods: Medical records were reviewed, and results of physical examination, radiography, and arthroscopy were recorded. Follow-up information was obtained through reexamination of the horses or telephone conversations with the referring veterinarians, owners, or trainers. Results: Lame...
Falcão MVD, Laroucau K, Vorimore F, Deshayes T, Santana VLA, Silva KPC, do Nascimento SA, de Castro RS, Araújo FR, Mota RA.Glanders is an infectious zoonosis caused by Burkholderia (B.) mallei that mainly affects equids. The objective of this work was to provide additional knowledge on the diversity of the strains circulating in Brazil. Six Burkholderia mallei isolates obtained during necropsies of glanderous horses between 2014 and 2017 in two different states (Pernambuco and Alagoas) were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-high-resolution melting (PCR-HRM). While four strains (9902 RSC, BM_campo 1, BM_campo 3 and UFAL2) clustered in the L3B2 branch, which already includes the Brazilian 16-2438_BM#8 strain, tw...
Gross I, Hadar A, Bala M, Hashavya S.Horse riding has become increasingly popular in recent years and is a common activity among children. As a result, pediatric horse-related injuries are frequently encountered in emergency departments. Objective: To examine the characteristics of horse-related injuries in the pediatric population. Methods: We collected and analyzed the data on all pediatric horse-related injuries presented to a tertiary hospital, level one trauma center, during the years 2006-2016. Results: A total of 53 children with horse-related injuries were documented. Forty-two patients were male (79%) and their mean age ...
Jiménez BLM, Elghandour MMMY, Adegbeye MJ, Tirado González DN, Tirado Estrada G, Salem AZM, Pacheco EBF, Pliego AB.In the race against deadly diseases, multiple drugs have been developed as a treatment strategy in livestock. Each treatment is based on a specific mechanism to find a suitable drug. Antibiotics have become a fundamental part of the equine industry to treat bacterial diseases. These antibiotics have specific doses and side effects, and understanding each parameter allows veterinarians to avoid or limit the adverse effects of such drugs. Use of antibiotics causes microbial imbalance, decreased microbial diversity and richness in both cecal and fecal samples. Antibiotics reduced metabolites prod...
Tiago G, Júlio C, António R.Pseudomonas aeruginosa may cause venereal disease and infertility in horses. A Pseudomonas aeruginosa - carrier stallion, often unresponsive to artificial vagina collection, was used to naturally breed mares. Semen collected from the same stallion was also used to perform artificial inseminations. Pregnancy rates, embryo quality and incidence of uterine infection were compared between inseminated or naturally-bred mares. Methods: P. aeruginosa was isolated from swabbing of the penis, prepuce and distal urethra of the stallion. Before being bred or inseminated, clitoral/vestibular samples were ...
Javanshir S, Younesi Soltani F, Dowlati G, Parham A, Naderi-Meshkin H.Managing tendon healing process is complicated mainly due to the limited regeneration capacity of tendon tissue. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have potential applications in regenerative medicine and have been considered for tendon repair and regeneration. This study aimed to evaluate the capacity of equine adipose tissue-derived cells (eASCs) to differentiate into tenocytes in response to platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) and growth differentiation factor-6 (GDF-6) in vitro. Frozen characterized eASCS of 3 mares were thawed and the cells were expanded in basic culture medium (DMEM...
Macon EL, Harris P, Bailey S, Caldwell Barker A, Adams A.Identifying intake levels of nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) that limit the postprandial insulinaemic response in the insulin dysregulated (ID) horse may help reduce hyperinsulinaemia-associated laminitis (HAL) risk. Objective: To determine if ID horses have thresholds for pure sources of starch and sugar, above which there is an augmented insulin response. Methods: Randomised crossover experiment. Methods: Fourteen adult horses (6 ID and 8 noninsulin dysregulated, NID; matched for bodyweight) were randomly fed eight dietary treatments. Dietary treatments were formulated using a base of low...
Netherwood T, Binns M, Townsend H, Wood JL, Mumford JA, Chanter N.During a survey of foal diarrhoea between 1991 and 1994, Clostridium perfringens was significantly associated with disease with 56% of cases infected [1]. The contribution of enterotoxigenic C. perfringens to this association, was assessed by use of the reverse passive latex agglutination test for enterotoxin (RPLA; Oxoid Unipath) and vero cell toxicity neutralized by antitoxin on stored faecal samples and sporulated faecal isolates of C. perfringens. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR1) based on the DNA sequence for the whole enterotoxin gene [2] yielded a fragment from an equine isolate of the a...
Kellon EM, Gustafson KM.Hyperinsulinemia associated with equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction is a risk factor for laminitis. Research in other species has shown elevated body iron levels as both a predictor and consequence of insulin resistance. In humans, this is known as dysmetabolic hyperferritinemia. To explore the relationship between equine hyperinsulinemia and body iron levels. We reviewed case histories and laboratory results from an open access database maintained by the Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc. (ECIR). We identified 33 horses with confirmed hyperinsu...
Ayala-Valdovinos MA, Lemus-Flores C, Galindo-García J, Bañuelos-Pineda J, Rodríguez-Carpena JG, Sánchez-Chiprés D, Duifhuis-Rivera T.Theileria equi infection prevalence was calculated from 1000 blood samples obtained from apparently healthy horses in western Mexico. Samples were sent to the Animal Biotechnology Laboratory of the University of Guadalajara (Mexico) for T. equi diagnosis. Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was used as a diagnostic method to detect pathogen DNA. Using primers for the merozoite antigen-1 (EMA-1) gene, 19.70±2.47% of the horses (95% CI, 17.23-22.17%) tested positive for T. equi. There was no significant association between gender and T. equi infection. However, prevalence was higher among s...
Hasebe R, Kimura T, Nakamura K, Ochiai K, Okazaki K, Wada R, Umemura T.Equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) shows endotheliotropism in the central nervous system (CNS) of infected horses. However, infection of endothelial cells has not been observed in the CNS of infected mice. To explore the basis for this difference in endotheliotropism, we compared the susceptibility of equine brain microvascular endothelial cells (EBMECs) and mouse brain microvascular endothelial cells (MBMECs) to EHV-1 infection. The kinetics of viral growth in EBMECs was typical of a fully productive infection whereas viral infection in MBMECs seemed to be nonproductive. Immunofluorescence microsco...
Negro Rama S, Valera M, Membrillo A, Gómez MD, Solé M, Menendez-Buxadera A, Anaya G, Molina A.The association of five candidate genes with sporting performance in young and adult Spanish Trotter horses (STHs) was performed according to a previous selection based on quantitative analysis of the trait time per kilometre (TPK). A total of 334 516 records of TPK from 5958 STHs were used to estimate the estimated breeding values (EBVs) at different age groups (young and adults horses) throughout the range of distances (1600-2700 m) using a bicharacter random regression model. The heritability estimated by distance ranged from 0.16 to 0.40, with a different range for the two age groups. Co...
Hurcombe SD, Fox JG, Kohn CW.A 2-year-old quarterhorse was evaluated for chronic diarrhea and weight loss of 5 weeks duration after numerous diagnostic tests failed to identify an underlying cause. Historically, the horse was housed at pasture where human household waste vehicles were routinely cleaned and the effluent could run onto the field. Physical examination revealed poor body condition and frequent high-volume diarrhea. Diagnostic testing for Salmonella spp., endoparasites, Cryptosporidium spp., Clostridium spp., and diffuse infiltrative bowel disease were negative. Rectal tissue histopathology failed to identify ...
Elbrønd VS, Thomsen MB, Isaksen JL, Lunde ED, Vincenti S, Wang T, Tranum-Jensen J, Calloe K.The Purkinje fibers convey the electrical impulses at much higher speed than the working myocardial cells. Thus, the distribution of the Purkinje network is of paramount importance for the timing and coordination of ventricular activation. The Purkinje fibers are found in the subendocardium of all species of mammals, but some mammals also possess an intramural Purkinje fiber network that provides for relatively instantaneous, burst-like activation of the entire ventricular wall, and gives rise to an rS configuration in lead II of the ECG. To relate the topography of the horse heart and the dis...
Knottenbelt DC, Hetzel U, Roberts V.A 14-year-old gray gelding was presented for investigation of a visible, pale-colored ocular mass in the right eye. An intraocular mass was identified clinically and ultrasonographically as originating from the superior nasal quadrant of the ciliary body and retina. The mass occupied the majority of the vitreous chamber and some of the superior anterior chamber of the eye. The affected eye was blind. Following exenteration, a primary intraocular primitive neuroectodermal tumor (i.e. a retinoblastoma/medulloepithelioma), a rarely described intraocular mass in adult horses, was identified by pat...
Bernard WV, Bolin C, Riddle T, Durando M, Smith BJ, Tramontin RR.Leptospirosis was documented as the cause of abortion in a 5-year-old mare. Leptospires were detected in tissue specimens from fetal kidneys and from placenta by histologic evaluation of silver-stained sections. Antibodies against Leptospira interrogans serovar pomona were detected in fetal serum at a titer of 1,600 by use of a microscopic agglutination test. The mare had serum titers of 6,400; 0; 400; 800; 3,200; and 6,400 to L interrogans serovars bratislava, canicola, grippotyphosa, hardjo, icterohaemorrhagiae, and pomona, respectively. A serologic survey identified titers of at least 6,400...
Russell KE, Perkins PC, Hoffman MR, Miller RT, Walker KM, Fuller FJ, Sellon DC.Thrombocytopenia is a consistent finding and one of the earliest hematological abnormalities in horses acutely infected with equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), a lentivirus closely related to human immunodeficiency virus. Multifactorial mechanisms, including immune-mediated platelet destruction and impaired platelet production, are implicated in the pathogenesis of EIAV-associated thrombocytopenia. This study was undertaken to investigate whether regenerative thrombopoiesis and platelet destruction occurred in ponies acutely infected with EIAV. Circulating large, immature platelets were in...
Bouhali O, Bensmail H, Sheharyar A, David F, Johnson JP.Great advances have been made in human health care in the application of radiomics and artificial intelligence (AI) in a variety of areas, ranging from hospital management and virtual assistants to remote patient monitoring and medical diagnostics and imaging. To improve accuracy and reproducibility, there has been a recent move to integrate radiomics and AI as tools to assist clinical decision making and to incorporate it into routine clinical workflows and diagnosis. Although lagging behind human medicine, the use of radiomics and AI in veterinary diagnostic imaging is becoming more frequent...
Clouser JM, Swanberg JE, Bundy H.Although farm management may understand agriculture's risks, they may not provide personal protective equipment (PPE). This study describes thoroughbred farm management's risk perceptions, provision of PPE, and factors that influence its provision. Methods: Thirty-five representatives from 26 farms participated in a 1-4hr semi-structured interview covering perceived risks associated with horse work and perspectives and provision of PPE. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, entered into ATLAS.ti, and analyzed by three coders. Results: Management cited horse-related tasks as most dangero...